Ross County secured their place in the top six of the Scottish Premiership in a dramatic final day of drama this afternoon.
Alex Schalk’s goal was the difference between the sides as County beat Partick Thistle 1-0 at Victoria Park and with Dundee losing at Hamilton, the results combined ensured Jim McIntyre’s side will play Celtic, Aberdeen, Hearts, Motherwell and St Johnstone after the split.
There were changes aplenty in both line-ups for this one with fit-again Scott Fox returning in goal for County while Chris McLaughlin, Stewart Murdoch and Brian Graham were also restored to the starting line-up.
Gary Woods, Ian McShane, Jonathan Franks and Liam Boyce all dropped out as County manager Jim McIntyre rang the changes following his side’s 5-2 loss at Dundee last weekend.
On a day where only win would do for both sides it was Ross County who broke the deadlock in the 14th minute with their first shot at goal.
It was a simple goal too with Brian Graham’s ball reaching team-mate Alex Schalk who had time to control the ball before turning and firing low past Ryan Scully in the Jags goal from 20 yards.
County should have added to their lead with Schalk and Graham having chances but the home side also had goalkeeper Fox to thank for keeping his former club out.
He tipped over a Ryan Edwards shot from the edge of the box in the first half before making a fine save to turn Mathias Pogba’s header, which was heading for the top corner, past the post.
The tension was unbearable for the home support in a fraught second half but County held out to take the points and their place in the top half.