DOMINIQUE MALONGA was Hibernian's hero in the Highlands as he smashed home two first-half headers to earn his new club a League Cup quarter-final place and - apart from their doomed play-off win over Hamilton Academical - a first away victory in almost nine months.
Other than on that occasion, the Edinburgh club had not triumphed on the road since beating the same opposition in Dingwall last Boxing Day. In pouring rain, Alan Stubbs' side found the inspiration before the break to pick off a home team toiling amid a terrible run of early season results. Malonga was making only his second start and third appearance since arriving as a free agent earlier this month - but the energetic, tricky frontman looks a real find.
County again showed promise, particularly early in the game, but displayed frailties in equal measure. Even with Dylan McGeoch taking a late red card, eight minutes from time, the demoralised hosts couldn't muster a response despite no shortage of effort. Both camps were in dire need of a morale-boosting victory. Both were low in confidence.
It was County who held the energy in a high-tempo opening, with Rocco Quinn whistling an early strike from distance just over the bar. But there were warning signs for the hosts, when Paul Hanlon's header hacked off the line by Kiss just before the 22nd-minute opener. Hibs midfielder Liam Craig deserved credit for his cross from the far left but there were question-marks over home marking as ex-Murcia striker Malonga strode in to head home from six yards.
County tried to muster a response, with Yoann Arquin wayward before matters deteriorated further for McIntyre's men. Again, the hosts were exposed down Hibs' left with Lewis Stevenson darting forward and delivering an arcing cross.
There was Malonga, again, pouncing with another thumping header past keeper Mark Brown.
Hibs, by now, were brimming with belief and there was another close call for County before the break when McGeoch drove forward and tested Brown with some venom.
McIntyre had seen enough and County right-back Jim Fenlon was the fall guy, replaced by Brittain just four minutes before the break.
And after things didn't improve, he was quick to make more changes, introducing Michael Gardyne for De Leeuw and then Northern Irish striker Liam Boyce for Kiss before the hour. For a spell, the County pressure built but began to grow increasingly desperate. Boyce went close with a header, over from Gardyne's cross.
Hibs seemed content mostly with containment and approaching the last 15 minutes they were soaking up the best County could throw at them pretty well. That was before McGeoch's crazy, scything of Joe Cardle at full flight on County's right flank, drawing a straight red card from referee Stephen Finnie.
The hosts tried to turn the screw, but a Boyce deflection into the net was chalked off for off-side. It summed up their night, and proved the last significant act before the whistle signalled rare away day joy for Hibs and more misery for County.
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