ROSS County were last night plunged deep into relegation danger in play-off territory after tossing away a first half lead to St Mirren.
The Paisley Buddies bounced back impressively after the break after Jordan White’s fine finish pumped optimism into home ranks inside 18 minutes.
Goals from Lee Erwin and Ilay Durmus, and a last-gasp Jamie McGrath penalty, overturned the advantage and heightened anxieties around Dingwall with rival club Kilmarnock’s win against Dundee United lifting them two points above the dropzone.
Saints moved seventh, despite resting some key personnel ahead of Scottish Cup action on Monday.
Recurring defensive frailties haunted the home side who have managed just kne clean sheet - against Celtic - in 2021.
County manager John Hughes, without a win in the previous four games, made one change from his team’s 2-2 draw at Kilmarnock 11 days earlier.
Young Celtic loanee Leo Hjelde stepped in for veteran Carl Tremarco at left-back.
St Mirren, five days ahead of a huge Scottish Cup quarter-final clash away to Kilmarnock, travelled with just five substitutes.
Manager Jim Goodwin was serving the second of a three-game ban, leaving Lee Sharp in charge in the technical area for a game of only minor meaning in the race for seventh place with Motherwell and Dundee United.
Goodwin made four changes from the cup victory over Caley Thistle, with Jonathan Obika, Jake Doyle-Hayes and Dylan Connolly left at home, while Kyle McAllister stood down to the bench.
In came Richard Tait, Cameron MacPherson, Lee Erwin and Jay Henderson.
Saints, unlucky to miss out on the top six by the slenderest of margins, made the early running in towards County’s Jail End in a strong start.
But after 18 minutes bereft of a clear cut opportunity at either end of the field, the Staggies took the lead.
A short Iain Vigurs free-kick played in Billy Mckay on the right hand side of the away box.
The striker’s cross was only half knocked clear, allowing Jordan Tillson to power a header back towards goal.
White, cleverly, wrapped a long, swinging foot around it 12 yards out and re-directed the ball high into the top corner of the net.
County began to exert control on play, probing for a second, but failed to capitalise on incisive play after 31 minutes.
Jason Naismith’s low-drilled cross from the right was crying out for a connection, but Mckay couldn;t quite connect with goal open in front of him Saints created their best chance of the half six minutes before the break.
Jay Henderson was impressing on the right flank for the Paisley men and, six minutes before the break, some neat trickery and a floated cross set up Kristian Dennis for a header pushed away from the bottom left hand corner by keeper Ross Laidlaw.
Almost on half-time, County threatened again.
Jordan Tillson showed some neat footwork on the 18-yard line, turning sharply to aim a chipped attempt towards the top of the net.
Jak Alnwick leapt spectacularly to tip the ball over the bar.
County, this season, rarely escape a 90 minutes without the loss of a goal and the familiar sinking feeling came just five minutes into the second half.
Richard Tait’s perfectly-measured cross at pace from the left only needed a glancing touch by the head of ex-County frontman Lee Erwin to whistle into the top corner of Laidlaw’s net.
On the hour, Conor McCarthy should have scored Saints’ second but stabbed a close-range effort straight at Laidlaw.
Staggies boss Hughes made a triple substitution after 68 minutes, with Saints switching two, just before the away side stormed ahead.
Newly-blooded Collin Quaner was played through wide on the right and cut the ball back across for Ilay Durmus to stroke in the finish in front of goal.
Kyle McAllister struck the post for Saints approaching the last five minutes, before a Leo Hjlede handball gave Jamie mcGrath the chance for the third from the spot.
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