Ross County comfortably saw off Motherwell to record an excellent 3-0 victory, and secure their first win in four matches.
Craig Curran struck the opener midway through the first-half, before Tony Dingwall netted his second goal in as many games after the break. Liam Boyce’s stoppage time penalty sealed the points for the Highlanders.
County manager Jim McIntyre made three changes from the side defeated 4-1 by Celtic in the Dingwall side’s last outing. Michael Gardyne was ruled out with an ankle injury, while Ian McShane and Chris Robertson were dropped to the bench. The trio were replaced by Jonathan Franks, Craig Curran, and returning skipper Andrew Davies.
Well made two changes from the team that was defeated 3-1 by Caley Thistle a fortnight ago, with defender Stephen McManus suspended following his dismissal in that game, while Joe Chalmers also dropped out. Louis Laing and Jake Taylor were their replacements.
There was little to separate the sides in the early stages, with Dingwall offering the first attempt at goal with a shot that was comfortably gathered by Connor Ripley.
Well’s best early chance came when Lionel Ainsworth was sent down the inside right channel before squaring the ball towards the run of Louis Moult, however the attacker failed to connect with the delivery, with half-hearted claims he was held back by Marcus Fraser.
County had the ball in the net on 21 minutes, when Boyce got on the end of Davies’ header from Martin Woods’ free-kick, but the flag was up before Davies had got his head to the ball.
The game burst into life just a minute later however, with the hosts edging ahead thanks to a sublime goal by Curran. After Dingwall’s shot from the edge of the box had been blocked, the youngster then released Woods down the left, with his cross into the middle controlled by Curran, who then swivelled before hooking it into the top left hand corner.
Motherwell looked to get their way back into the game, with Moult’s header well held by Woods, who then did well to tip Lionel Ainsworth’s low shot wide.
After going in behind at the break, Well continued their search for an equaliser in the second-half, with Moult seeing his low shot smothered by Woods.
Moult had an even better chance on 56 minutes, when he failed to connect with Pearson’s low cross with the goal gaping.
County were struggling to create clear-cut chances of their own, with a wayward Franks attempt from long-range, while Foster’s header across goal evaded Boyce.
Well forced Woods into action again, thwarting substitute Theo Robinson’s attempt following a great run down the left by Marvin Johnson.
Just as Well’s threat looked to be increasing, County intervened with another fine goal. Woods was again the architect, threading a pass through for Dingwall, who knocked the ball past the last defender before rounding Ripley and rolling into the empty net.
Woods had to make another good save to keep his clean sheet, beating away Liam Grimshaw’s near post effort.
The Staggies were given the chance to add a third goal in stoppage time, when Boyce was felled inside the box by Kieran Kennedy, with Boyce stepping up to fire the ball high into the net and seal the points.