Ross County got their Premiership campaign off to a flying start with a deserved opening day 2-1 victory against Dundee at Dens Park.
A goal in each half from midfielders Jamie Lindsay and Christopher Routis proved decisive against a poor Dark Blues side, who netted a late consolation through Jack Hendry.
County were without the suspended Craig Curran and Jim O’Brien, with Jamie Lindsay and Christopher Routis added to the side that defeated Arbroath on penalties to advance to the second round of the Betfred Cup the previous week.
Both sides began brightly, with Dundee having the best early chance when Scott Fox was forced to make an excellent save to block Mark O’Hara’s low effort.
The Staggies also looked dangerous however, with Alex Schalk nodding wide before seeing a run towards goal blocked by Darren O’Dea’s saving tackle in the box.
Michael Gardyne was next to threaten for the Staggies with a low 20-yard strike that flew wide of the target on 18 minutes.
County kept the pressure up, with Schalk seeing his low drive saved by Scott Bain after getting on the end of Jason Naismith’s cut-back.
Jim McIntyre’s side made a deserved breakthrough on 36 minutes though, as the ball fell to Lindsay 25 yards from goal and the on-loan Celtic player rifled a powerful low strike past Bain.
Although County ended the first-half on top they head to deal with further pressure from the hosts, with Fox turning Roarie Deacon’s strike around the post, before making another save to deny Kevin Holt’s header from the resulting corner.
County grabbed an all-important second goal on the hour mark, with the aid of poor defending from the home side as Sean Kelly’s corner was met by the unmarked head of Routis to nod past Bain.
Neil McCann’s men pulled a goal back on 86 minutes when half-time substitute Hendry met Allan’s corner with a bullet header which he steered past Fox. The hosts rallied for a late leveller, with Darren O’Dea sending a long-range strike inches over the bar, while Fox also saved a 20-yard effort from Faissal El Bakhtaoui, however the Staggies held on to claim all three points.
