ABERDEEN'S calamitous crash to earth from heady early season heights gathered pace last night as Brian Graham's double elevated Ross County to third in the Premiership.

The former Dundee United and St Johnstone striker netted a goal in each half to bring fresh agony to the league leaders who could now be toppled from the summit for the first time this season if Celtic beat Motherwell.

It was a fourth defeat in a row for the foundering Pittodrie side, but County deserved it for a sturdy, spirited and inventive show.

After a shimmering blue, cloudless day around Dingwall, Aberdeen were intent on painting the town red - and supporters showed up in typically impressive numbers.

After three straight defeats, there was also an opportunity to issue a riposte after the furore over league sponsor Ladbrokes' closure of betting on the manager Derek McInnes' departure.

County, too, were seeking to bounce back to winning ways having suffered a deflating Highland derby defeat before the idle weekend.

The Dons made four changes, two particularly notable. Captain Ryan Jack was ruled out with a sickness bug allowing Willo Flood to slot into the heart of midfield.

There was also a timely return for defender Mark Reynolds, absent with a shoulder injury since July's European clash with Macedonians Shkendija.

There was initially a rejuvenated feel to the Dons as the game kicked off with County under some lively pressure.

County looked primed to absorb the pressure, though, and counter swiftly.

Liam Boyce took a Stewart Murdoch pass after nine minutes, twisting and turning on the edge of the penalty area before lacking venom in his dig at goal.

Aberdeen's energy was strong, though, and David Goodwillie controlled with back to goal and tried an audacious overhead kick which was saved by keeper Gary Woods.

Soon after, Goodwillie looked hungry again and from the left of the box whipped a 12-yard shot wide of the near post.

County, though, found a foothold in the game towards the middle of the first half.

After 24 minutes, Brian Graham and defender Chris Robertson had swipes at target blocked, the latter drawing County claims it had hit a Graeme Shinnie hand.

Another Stewart Murdoch burst from midfield and slipped pass released Boyce in the box but the Northern Ireland striker sliced wide.

Into the last 15 minutes of a breathless first half, County kept foraging – and drew their reward nine minutes before the break.

Foster took a pass down the left and wound his way into the box and past a couple of flailing challenges.

Paul Quinn's outstretched leg finally nicked the ball away from Foster but Brian Graham strode in to tuck the opener away from inside 10 yards.

McInnes took action at the break, hauling off both Reynolds and Flood and blooding Shay Logan and Adam Rooney in more familiar formation.

But the changes did the Dons no good at all as they tumbled two behind after just four second half minutes.

From a County ball forward, ex-Staggies' defender Quinn missed a header as Boyce thumped the ball forward.

Graham raced forward with Considine hot on his tail, seemed to have miscontrolled but took a kind break of the ball and powered a shot past the diving Danny Ward.

Liam Boyce had a couple of chances to put the game beyond reach but the 11-goal striker, perhaps sapped by international travels with Northern Ireland, was uncharacteristically off the mark.

Niall McGinn hit the upright for Aberdeen after 62 minutes amid gathering pressure, but the Dons never truly looked convincing.

Time and again, County's players put bodies on the line and threw themselves into blocks and challenges as the Dons pressed in vain.