Ian Danda helped Ross County enhance their hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premier League because the Staggies gained 2-1 of their play-off last first leg over Championship hopefuls Raith Rovers at a rain-soaked Stark Park.
After a lackluster first half, County grabbed the lead with a 53rd-minute penalty from Danda following Ewan Murray’s handball, earlier than captain Jack Baldwin made it 2-0 with a 71st-minute header from a Danda nook.
However Rovers gave themselves some hope of salvaging a tie within the second leg at Dingwall on Sunday once they pulled one again via Sam Stanton with eight minutes remaining.
The Kirkcaldy facet are aiming to return to the highest flight for the primary time since 1997, whereas the Staggies, who beat Partick Thistle in final season’s play-off last, had been hoping to increase their five-year keep within the Premier League.
Like a win for Ross County
Ross County’s Ian Dhanda celebrates with Jordan White (left) after scoring to make it 1-0
Raith boss Ian Murray made one compelled change to the facet that began final Friday’s semi-final second leg in opposition to Partick, with on-loan County midfielder Kyle Turner – ineligible for the match in opposition to his dad or mum membership – changed by Jack Hamilton.
County supervisor Don Cowie fielded the identical group that began Sunday’s 2-2 draw at house to 10-man Aberdeen, a outcome that finally paved the best way for St Johnstone to leapfrog them into tenth place within the Premier League and ship them to this recreation -off.
The guests began aggressively, placing their hosts on the again foot early on, though they needed to wait till the 18th minute for his or her first notable alternative when Simon Murray headed Dhanda’s free-kick broad of the far submit.
The house facet then got here into play and Ewan Murray headed in Aidan Connolly’s cross however failed to seek out the goal with a header from 12 yards.
Either side tried to make the keeper work however County threatened two minutes earlier than the break when Will Nightingale’s shot was deflected for a nook earlier than Baldwin raced previous three Rovers gamers within the field earlier than seeing his breakthrough blocked on the close to submit goalkeeper Kevin Dombrowski.
Failing to trigger too many issues for the Premier League guests earlier than the break, Raith got here agonizingly near opening the scoring 4 minutes into the second interval when Lewis Vaughan headed Connolly down the precise and the winger reduce inside and curled a deep shot simply broad of the far submit.
Ross County’s Yan Dhanda scores from the penalty spot
Nonetheless, there was deflation for the house facet only a minute later when County had been awarded a penalty after a VAR overview concluded that Murray had put his arm out within the field to dam Eli King’s 25-yard shot. Dhanda’s highly effective spot-kick discovered the online, however solely after crashing into Dabrowski’s left submit.
Reith got here near equalizing on the hour mark when Connolly’s low shot from the sting of the field was deflected behind by Ryan Leake, though it seemed to be going broad anyway.
Dabrowski made an excellent save with 20 minutes remaining when he bought down on the left and chipped in after King’s curling shot. However the keeper was helpless seconds later when Danda’s ensuing nook was headed into the online by Baldwin from exterior the six-yard field.
Ross County’s Jack Baldwin celebrates with Jordan White, Will Nightingale and Connor Randall after scoring to make it 2-0
Simply when the equalizer appeared to be slipping away from them, Rovers grabbed a lifeline within the 82nd minute when Vaughan slipped Ross Matthews down the precise and eight-man Stanton slotted clear into the full-back’s internet. yards.
The hosts pushed for an equalizer within the closing levels however will want a win at Dingwall on Sunday if they’re to have any likelihood of ending their 27-year anticipate a return to the Premier League.
What the leaders stated…
Use Chrome for a extra accessible video participant
Don Cowie says he’s delighted along with his group after their 2-1 win
Ross County the boss Don Cowie: “I assumed the play deserved management.
“I am disillusioned we did not maintain a clear sheet as a result of I assumed at 2-0 we began to look very comfy.
“That is the one actual disappointment apart from I am actually happy with the group.”
Use Chrome for a extra accessible video participant
Ian Murray says Raith Rovers are nonetheless within the draw after their 2-1 defeat
Raith Rovers the boss Ian Murray: “I assumed Ross County began nicely, it is troublesome to play in opposition to a group that’s at a better stage.
“We had been a bit sloppy at instances, a bit rushed with the ball. A couple of changes helped us and for a lot of the second half, aside from 10 minutes, I assumed we had been higher.
“A late purpose provides us an opportunity. We all know it should be robust, however we all know what we’ve to do and that is good.”
Promoting content material | Stream Sky Sports activities NOW
Stream Sky Sports activities dwell NOW with no month-to-month or day by day membership contract. Immediate entry to dwell motion from the Scottish Premier League, Premier League, EFL, F1 and extra.
Be taught extra right here…