Jamie Lindsay scored deep into stoppage time to maintain Ross County’s five-point lead at the top of the Championship with a 1-1 draw against Dundee United.
United looked to have ramped up the pressure on the Staggies through Pavol Safranko’s first half goal, which would have cut the gap to just two points.
Lindsay scrambled home a late finish deep into stoppage time however, which keeps the Staggies firmly in the driving seat in the race for the title, with the opportunity to move eight points clear with a win over Dunfermline on Tuesday.
County made one enforced change from the side which defeated Caley Thistle in Tuesday’s Highland derby, with Ross Draper ruled out through a knee injury and replaced by Lewis Spence.
United looked to apply early pressure, with Calum Butcher seeing an early effort well clutched by Scott Fox, while at the other end Josh Mullin and Spence saw efforts blocked.
County created the best early chance on nine minutes however, with Daniel Armstrong fizzing a dangerous low ball across goal which Benjamin Siegrist did well to tip wide.
United capitalised on poor defending from the hosts to take the lead on 12 minutes however, with Andy Boyle robbed of possession by Ian Harkes, who eventually set up Safranko to rifle high past Fox at his near post.
Chances were at a premium throughout the remainder of the first half, with the best opportunity falling to Peter Pawlett shortly before half time after being teed up by Paul McMullan, with his strike well blocked by the legs of Fox.
County had an opening early in the second half when Mullin was picked out by a fine Declan McManus pass, but found his shot quickly blocked by the United rearguard.
The visitors could have doubled their advantage on the breakaway when McMullan was released just after the hour mark, however the midfielder blasted his effort well over Fox’s crossbar.
United came even closer to securing the victory on 79 minutes, with McMullan cutting in from the right before taking aim with a low effort which clipped the inside of the post.
County spurned a glorious late chance to secure the draw when substitute Brian Graham teed up Mullin in an excellent position eight yards out, but under pressure from a number of United defenders he slipped his shot wide.
Lindsay had the last say however, scrambling home at the death after Gardyne’s strike had been knocked his way by Ross Stewart to send the Dingwall crowd into raptures.
