NOTHING ventured, nothing gained.
Ross County may have spent much of this contest trying to stifle St Johnstone, but a single moment – laced with fortune – was enough to ensure they left Perth with a point.
The concession of 18 goals in their previous seven games spoke of a side which had cast aside the caution inherent in their early-season performances, but Derek Adams was correctly unrepentant after a display in which defensive solidity was the unashamed priority. "It's another good point on the road," the County manager said. "We've only lost three of eight and the key is to pick up points away and do well at home. We've given ourselves a base to do that."
That County have been beaten just once in their last five adds weight to his view. That defeat, last weekend's 3-0 towsing at Kilmarnock, was perhaps still affecting the players as they spent much of the first period entrenched in their own half. That said, the visitors did enjoy a brief flurry with Stuart Kettlewell, Mark Fotheringham and Mihael Kovacevic lashing ambitious efforts from distance, while Richard Brittain and Sam Morrow went close without unduly troubling Alan Mannus.
Mostly, though, St Johnstone dominated. Gregory Tade should have perhaps made a better connection with a flashing Nigel Hasselbaink cross, while Liam Craig, Fraser Wright and Steven Anderson all had opportunities.
The most profligate, though, was Steven MacLean. The striker drew a fine save from Michael Fraser and forced an equally impressive block from Grant Munro, having combined delightfully with Callum Davidson and Hasselbaink, but spurned the clearest opening of the half, dwelling on a Chris Millar pass before trying to play in Tade when an immediate shot may have paid a bigger dividend.
It was, instead, a defender who set the example in the opening moments of the second half. MacLean did, at least, play the part of provider, shuttling the ball to Dave Mackay on the right of the area, but the full-back did the rest, cutting inside Marc Fitzpatrick and sliding a shot inside Fraser's near post.
St Johnstone should have closed out the game. Yet within a couple of minutes MacLean spurned another chance – albeit Fitzpatrick blocked well on the goal-line – and County gradually grew in ambition.
Morrow forced the ball into the net, only to be penalised for pushing, but fortune would soon favour the visitors. Brittain's quick free kick released Iain Vigurs on the left of the area and, although the midfielder's shot was going wide, a deflection off the retreating Craig sent it beyond Mannus' flailing grope.
"We switched off," bemoaned Steve Lomas, the St Johnstone manager. "We should have won, but if you don't get that second goal-we might have scored three or four. They just need to be a bit more clinical."
That lack of composure made for a fraught final few minutes; Tade prodded wide under pressure from Ross Tokely, Mackay ripped a free kick through the area and the hosts claimed for a penalty when the ball struck Munro's hand. County, though, hung on.
"St Johnstone could have gone on to win after they scored, but didn't get a break," Adams said. "But I don't think either team deserved to win."
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