Ross County substitute Christopher Routis struck a crucial winner as the Staggies defeated Motherwell 1-0 in a tense bottom six encounter at Fir Park.
Routis claimed his fifth goal of the season when he netted from close range after 72 minutes as the Staggies took a major step towards safety.
The result means Ross County cannot finish bottom of the Scottish Premiership and are now seven points above Motherwell who occupy the dreaded play-off spot.
The Staggies were without forwards Alex Schalk and Liam Boyce, who netted all four goals in their emphatic victory against Caley Thistle, through suspension with captain Andrew Davies returning from a ban in place of the absent Boyce.
Motherwell handed goalkeeper Russell Griffiths, on loan from Everton, his first start with Craig Samson dropping to the bench following his side’s 3-2 defeat by Dundee.
Ross County created the game’s first chance after three minutes when Michael Gardyne cut in from the right flank and fired over from the edge of the area.
It was a fairly low-key opening to the game with chances at a premium and little to excite the supporters.
The Staggies made a change after 29 minutes when Ryan Dow was replaced by Christopher Routis.
Thirty-three minutes had elapsed before the game’s first shot on target but Elliott Frear’s low drive was easily gathered by County goalkeeper Scott Fox.
The visitors made their second change of the afternoon at the break with Reghan Tumilty coming on for Kenny van der Weg.
Motherwell made a lively start to the second period and almost took the lead when Carl McHugh nodded over from an inviting cross from Frear.
Tim Chow passed up a great opportunity at the other end when a scuffed shot from Jim O’Brien fell perfectly into his path but the midfielder fluffed his lines.
The home support were screaming for a penalty when Frear tumbled to ground under pressure from Jason Naismith but the Motherwell midfielder had gone to ground far too easily and referee Bobby Madden waved away the appeals.
Motherwell were becoming the dominant force and Lionel Ainsworth went close when he twisted past Marcus Fraser before finding the side-netting.
An Ainsworth free kick was well saved by Fox before Ross County took the lead after 72 minutes against the run of play.
Motherwell were made to pay for a defensive error when Zak Jules opted to play the ball back up the byline rather than allow it to go out for a goal-kick. Craig Curran pounced on the mistake and fed the ball to Tumilty whose cross was flicked on by Chow to Routis who blasted home from close range.
