STEVEN FERGUSON refused to get carried away as Ross County returned to winning ways. But the Staggies’ co-manager is convinced a return of “big characters” can coincide with a resurgence for the Highlanders.

A Billy Mckay double was enough to secure a vital three points for the Dingwall team who have picked up five of their six wins this season at home.

Ferguson said: “The players did well. We know how good a team Livingston are and how dangerous they are. They’ve been on a fantastic run of form and they are a team Stuart and I really admire for how they go about their business. We knew it was going to be difficult so obviously we’re delighted to win the game.

“But it is just one game of football, that’s all it is. We deployed a different system, but systems don’t win you games – players do.

“The players deserve a lot of credit for how they performed tonight.

“As I’ve said all along, for Ross County in the Premiership our journey is never going to be plain sailing. We’ve won one game of football. We need to try and win the next one now.”

Ross Draper made his first start in three months and the giant midfielder took the man of the match award, leading by example amid a ferocious physical battle.

Ferguson said: “Every team is the same. When you have big players and big characters missing for long periods of time, it is difficult.

“Thankfully we had Ross Draper and Callum Morris back today and the two of them having not plated much football did really well.

“We’re starting to get big players and big characters back. I’ll re-iterate, it is just one game of football but you have a better chance of winning football matches when you have a full squad to pick from.”

Beaten boss Gary Holt insisted defensive mistakes made the difference on the night.

He said: “It’s the goals that change the game. We conceded very early in the game from a poor goal from our aspect.

“That is something we will have to look at as a team to deal with it better because the onus is on us to go and take the game to Ross County which I felt we did.

“I really thought we had a go. We were in the opposition half, we were in the opposition box but if you give goals away you have got to chase the game. Ross County can then sit in and they done that very well.

“But the boys were at it. Their work rate was great, the tenacity was there, they were prepared to put bodies on the line, but as a team defensively the two goals are poor.

“We will to look at it and analyse it and learn from it and make it better.”