ROSS COUNTY bade farewell to their long-serving captain Richard Brittain in the best possible way with a win that saw them leap-frog the Rugby Park side on the last day of a long campaign.

Greg Kiltie had edged Kilmarnock ahead before half-time but Liam Boyce equalised and substitute Rocco Quinn popped up with a late winner.

The travelling fans showed their appreciation of Brittain's contribution during seven seasons at Dingwall, symbolically rising after eight minutes to salute the man who had worn the number eight shirt with such distinction and they were delighted when the midfielder, who is out of contract in the summer, came on for the closing stages.

The County manager Jim McIntyre said: "Richard has been at heart of everything that has been good about the early part of Ross County's history.

"He was upset at the end of the game and it was a difficult day for him in a difficult week. I am delighted that things fell into place and that he was able to play his part in a win.

"It was an important success as finishing in ninth place is massive for us when you consider where we were when we started.

"We started well but let them get on top after they scored from our mistake but we put in a fine second half and Michael Gardyne was unplayable."

County thought they had made a perfect start when Boyce drilled a pass from Martin Woods past Conor Brennan but an offside flag cut short their celebrations.

Woods forced Brennan to push a rasping effort against a post but the County man erred before the break when he passed straight to Josh Magennis in a dangerous area and he squared the ball for Kiltie to stab home.

The visiting goalkeeper Antonio Reguero denied his former Kilmarnock colleagues a bigger advantage at the break when he produced a fine one-handed save to turn away a drive from home debutant Aaron Splaine.

A Boyce free kick on 57 minutes was pushed away by Brennan before County drew level soon after when Boyce guided a Marcus Fraser cross over the shot-stopper with a deft touch.

Boyce set up the winner 13 minutes from time with a precise through pass that allowed Quinn to slide the ball home from 8 yards and that was the signal for Brittain to come on and take his bow.

Reguero made sure of the win when he made a fine late save from Lee Ashcroft's header.

Manuel Pascali, who has not yet accepted the offer of a new contact was not included for the hosts, and the Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke said: "I could not include Manu as he was not fit. He has been offered a deal and the ball is now in his court.

"We showed the Kilmarnock fans today that there is a lot of young talent at this club but we lost two goals after Mark Connolly went off injured. We are short of experience and we will need some of that for next season as I look to put my mark on the team."