Hamilton manager Martin Canning bemoaned his side's lack of leadership as they slumped to their seventh defeat of the season against Ross County.

Canning called on new signing Xavier Tomas to help out his inexperienced side as goals from Alex Schalk and Thomas Mikkelsen gave County a 2-1 victory after Greg Docherty had given the visitors the lead in the 53rd minute.

"We've scored in every game bar the Aberdeen one at the start of the season; the only two games we've won we scored three and we scored two in the draw against Kilmarnock. That's telling you something – we need to shut the back door," said Canning.

"But the main thing for me just now is the leadership and organisation. Xavier has come in and maybe needs to lend more of a hand than he has done.

"Ryan Fulton had a good game, young Scott McMann and [Alexander] Gogic did well but they're just at that stage of their careers where they're making wee errors and we're getting punished for them."

Staggies manager Owen Coyle hailed the importance of giving his home fans something to cheer about, given the regular distances they have to travel on the road.

"That's important because, where we're from, it is difficult for a lot of fans to get to away games. We won it by playing some very good football, although there is still more to come in terms of how I want the team to play," he said.

"It is important psychologically to get that first home win because, the longer it goes, the more pressure comes on you."