Ross County’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed in the cruellest of ways after they had initially looked like pulling off the great escape in Perth.
On a day in which they needed three points as a minimum requirement, all appeared to be going to plan when the recalled Craig Curran gave the Staggies the lead three minutes into the game.
With precious little news coming from Dundee, where County needed Partick Thistle to slip up, hopes began to mount that County could book their place in this week’s play-offs. Those hopes began to disintegrate just after the hour mark when Kris Doolan gave the Jags the lead, prompting an eerie silence at McDiarmid Park.
With nothing more they could do themselves to change the situation, County had insult added to injury when David Wotherspoon netted a stoppage-time equaliser to rubber stamp their demotion. The picture of dejection among the County squad on the pitch at full time told the story of heartache as a result of the Dingwall club’s relegation, which ends a six-year stint in the top flight. Co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson – the third management team of the campaign – will feel it more than anyone but the damage was done long before the 10 games they oversaw.
With a mere six victories all season, this day has looked like coming for some time but Kettlewell and Ferguson had kept the Staggies in with a shout going into the final day.
This was last-chance saloon, however, with nothing less than a victory enough for them regardless of the outcome at Dens Park.
Kettlewell and Ferguson produced a wildcard in the form of Estonian midfielder Mattias Kait with the on-loan Fulham player making his first start since February 17, while Curran also made the team with Davis Keillor-Dunn and leading scorer Alex Schalk dropping out.
The changes appeared to have had the desired effect as County made the dream start by taking the lead after just three minutes. Billy Mckay laid the ball on to Jason Naismith, who drilled a low cross in from the right, which clipped a defender before landing into the path of Curran to prod home from close range. It was the perfect way to pile the pressure on Partick Thistle.
Although it was a fine start by County, they were dealt a blow on 14 minutes when skipper Andrew Davies was forced to limp off after landing heavily with Harry Souttar brought on as his replacement.
County continued to dominate the first half and were unfortunate not to add to their lead before the interval. Kait rattled the underside of the crossbar with a rasping strike at the second attempt, while Curran was denied his second when Alan Mannus tipped his lofted shot over the bar on the stroke of half time.
There was further threat from the visitors at the start of the second half as County pursued the second goal which would have completed their side of the bargain. A neat move saw Naismith attempt to find Jamie Lindsay with a drilled low delivery from the right but he was unable to find the vital touch. Moments later on-loan Celtic player Lindsay saw a low free kick comfortably gathered by Mannus.
The game’s turning point came from outwith the boundaries of the stadium. The 543 Staggies supporters had been in full voice throughout but their stunned silence that followed Doolan’s 63rd-minute strike against Dundee made it clear County were no longer in charge of their fate.
Saints had done little to trouble the County rearguard, testing Scott Fox for the first time through Wotherspoon’s effort on 89 minutes. Wotherspoon did finally succeed with a fine 20-yard finish deep into stoppage time, confirming the Staggies’ demotion.
A day County’s supporters will want to forget as the top-flight journey they have savoured since 2012 came to a crashing halt.
ST JOHNSTONE (3-4-2-1) – Mannus 7, Tanser 6, Shaughnessy 6, Davidson 6, Wotherspoon 7, Williams 5 (Hendry 74), Comrie 5 (Scougall 46), Kerr 5, McMillan 5, Gordon 5, McCann 5 (Millar 58). Subs not used – Clark, Anderson, Foster, Craig.
ROSS COUNTY (4-3-3 ) – Fox 6, Fraser 6, Naismith 7, Gardyne 7, Curran 7, Davies 4 (Souttar 14), Draper 6, Lindsay 7, Mckay 6 (Schalk 74), Fontaine 7, Kait 6 (O’Brien 85). Subs not used – McCarey, Ngog, Melbourne, Keillor-Dunn.
Referee – Nick Walsh 6
Attendance: 3,279
Man of the match: Jason Naismith.
