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St Johnstone 2-1 Ross County

James McFadden celebrates the goal that turned out to be the winner.
James McFadden celebrates the goal that turned out to be the winner.

Ross County’s Scottish Cup hopes were ended at the first hurdle by holders St Johnstone in Perth.

Two goals inside the opening 12 minutes left the Staggies with an uphill task but despite a much improved second half and a goal from Jake Jervis, County were unable to force an equaliser against Tommy Wright’s side.

Staggies manager Jim McIntyre made one change to the side which lost at McDiarmid Park on league duty last weekend with winger Joe Cardle earning a starting role. On-loan midfielder Michael Gardyne dropped to the bench against the Saints.

McIntyre had hoped the Scottish Cup could bring some welcome relief from the dogfight at the foot of the Scottish Premiership, but his hopes of progressing in the competition were quickly extinguished by the cup holders.

Michael O’Halloran converted the loose ball after James McFadden’s early free kick had struck the County defensive wall. Assistant referee David Watt raised his flag for offside but, following a consultation with his assistant, referee John Beaton awarded the goal.

The Staggies players were unhappy at the goal being given but there was no doubting the quality of the second goal which followed in the 12th minute when McFadden collected a Scott Boyd header 25 yards out before curling a fantastic effort past Mark Brown in the County goal to make it 2-0.

Saints had chances to extend their lead before the break and were made to pay for squandering them as County pulled a goal back just after the hour mark when Graham Carey sent Jake Jervis clear of goal and the Englishman beat Alan Mannus to hand County a lifeline.

With the Staggies pushing for an equaliser they left themselves vulnerable to the counter-attack and they almost paid for it as Simon Lappin sent Brian Graham clear but the Saints forward blasted the ball off the crossbar.

County pushed for an equaliser but they just could not find the goal they craved to force an equaliser.