Staggies use man advantage to see off Dunfermline

Ross County 2 (Mckay, Lindsay)

Dunfermline 1 (Draper OG)

Ross County held off 10-man Dunfermline to move back up to second place in the Scottish Championship.

County took the lead from a set piece. Don Cowie chipped a corner from the right into the box, looking for Josh Mullin.

Mullin had a pop at goal from just inside the box with a first time volley – but though his shot appeared to be going in Billy Mckay was there to make sure from close range.

Dunfermline had a chance to hit straight back a couple of minutes later, but Robbie Muirhead’s powerful was free kick was right at Scott Fox and the Staggies stopper held on.

Then came the red card. Kallum Higginbotham elbowed Stelios Demetriou off the ball, but it was right in front of the assistant referee on that side. He flagged it up and Alan Muir sent Higginbotham off.

It could have been even worse for the Pars just another couple of minutes later when Ross Stewart put the ball in the Dunfermline net one more time, but the whistle had already gone for a foul.

Stewart should have extended County’s lead immediately when the second half begun, finding himself one-on-one with Lee Robinson thanks to Mckay, but the Dunfermline stopper made a good save to deny him.

Right on the cusp of the hour mark, Dunfermline arguably should have been back on level terms when Robbie Muirhead headed over from close range.

But Ross County would go right back up the pitch and make it 2-0.

Cowie’s corner evaded everyone, but substitute Brian Graham was there to collect on the left wing and put the ball back into the danger area where Jamie Lindsay converted from inside the six-yard box.

With 15 minutes left Dunfermline did grab a goal back – a powerful cross came in from the right wing which Scott Fox attempted to take in, but could only deflect on to Ross Draper who was helpless as the ball trickled in.