Charles Green ventured this week that Ross County had battled for 18 years to reach the top flight of Scottish football only to find the experience soured horribly by Rangers' absence.

It could be argued, of course, that Green could raise rancour at a Buddhist's convention, but the Ibrox powerbroker was so obviously wide of the mark on this one.

There has been scant wailing and gnashing of teeth around Victoria Park, only evident enjoyment at the Dingwall club's new and lofty status. Almost unbroken enjoyment, indeed, until Frazer Wright's late, telling contribution yesterday.

The former Kilmarnock defender struck with a winning header as the visitors overcame relentless pressure and the handicap of 10 men to build on their shock victory over Celtic.

In doing so, they finally ended County's remarkable 40-match league unbeaten run stretching back 13 months.

It was a first SPL defeat for the Highlanders and one that was hard to stomach for manager Derek Adams. "I told the lads in there to be very proud of what they have achieved," Adams said. "It was our best performance since coming into the SPL. We've lost two poor goals. The first was a long-range strike and the second was poor defensively.

"But other than that I didn't think we deserved to lose the game. I thought we deserved to win it hands-down with the chances and possession we had. We are disappointed, obviously, that our long unbeaten league run has ended, particularly seeing it happen in the manner it did today. We were against 10 men and playing so well."

St Johnstone were toiling badly after only 32 minutes due to Rowan Vine's red card for violent conduct, the striker having appeared to kick out at Richard Brittain. Only a couple of minutes earlier, the Perth side had taken the lead through Liam Craig's 25-yard strike against the run of play. County, up until then and indeed thereafter, dictated play relentlessly but at times toothlessly. And therein lay the problem.

The lingering feeling after an enthralling 90 minutes, though, was that neither of these sides should be troubling the SPL trapdoor come next May, given their spirit and enterprise.

After that towsy spell from midway through the first half, Saints' 10 men were pinned deep in their own territory, facing a succession of County chances.

However, Murray Davidson entered the fray for the visitors after 54 minutes and the substitute's first touch was a half-volley in the box that cracked the underside of County the bar.

The hosts introduced a substitute of their own, striker Colin McMenamin, but the 68th-minute equaliser arrived via an unusual suspect. Defender Grant Munro took the game by the scruff of the neck and found Vigurs on the left before surging on to the return pass. Munro then cut the ball into the middle where Sam Morrow fired past Alan Mannus from six yards.

St Johnstone then faced an onslaught but amid the barrage, they broke and Steven MacLean's 20-yard strike was touched for a corner at full stretch by Michael Fraser. Craig's corner then found Frazer Wright leaping to arc a header high past Fraser and snatch victory.

Despite acknowledging his side's good fortune, visiting manager Steve Lomas had a major gripe over Vine's first half red card. "In adversity, it's fantastic, but the sending-off is a shocker," he said. "I've just seen it there. Listen, the referee is honest and only sees what he sees, but I would hope he would take another look."