Ross County ended a run of eight matches without a win with a 2-0 victory over Livingston tonight in the SPFL Premiership courtesy of a Billy Mckay brace.
The Staggies came into the match with six changes from the side which went down 3-1 against Kilmarnock at the weekend, with Ross Draper, Liam Fontaine, Sean Kelly, Callum Morris, Billy Mckay and Harry Paton all drafted into the starting 11.
The home side got off to a flying start as full backs Kelly and skipper Marcus Fraser combined with the latter showing great composure inside the Livingston 18-yard-box before laying off to talisman Mckay, who drove his shot well into the bottom left-hand corner after three minutes to open the scoring.
Kelly was again provider in the 9th minute picking out Paton inside the box, but his effort was deflected wide at the expense of a corner.
Lee Erwin showed fine skill after half-an-hour to deceive his marker, before sending a delightful arrowed ball for the onrushing Fraser, playing in a more advanced role, but the ball just evaded his reach and fell behind Robby McCrorie’s goal.
Lyndon Dykes went close to levelling the score after a neat one-two with his teammate inside the home side box, but his effort from a tight angle on the right could only find the side netting in the 39th minute.
Livingston started the second half on the front foot creating a couple of half-chances but it was County who doubled their advantage on the hour mark, Vigrus slipping in Mckay who rounded McCrorie before driving into the net with his left foot.
Mckay squandered a golden chance for his hattrick after picking out Kelly’s exquisite ball in the 64th minute, but the County number 9 couldn’t find the finishing touch with the ball trickling wide.
Livingston manager Gary Holt went for broke in the 67th minute as he made all three changes with Scott Robinson, Craig Sibbald and Jack McMillan making way for Robbie Crawford, Dolly Menga and Steve Lawson.
County introduced Oli Shaw and Don Cowie, taking the place of goalscorer Mckay and midfielder Paton as the home side attempted to see out the match and secure all three points.
Livingston failed to really threaten Baxter in the county goal in the closing stages, with the result keeping The Staggies in 9th place and a step further away from the relegation battle.