Keith Watson’s stoppage-time winner saw Ross County overcome a dogged Alloa Athletic 1-0 at Recreation Park.
It appeared to be heading for a goal-less draw, thanks to some inspired goalkeeping from Neil Parry, before Watson’s 91st-minute goal.
County are now back to being two points adrift of Ayr United in second place, ahead of a home game against Queen of the South next week.
Callum Morris and Ross Stewart were the two changes for County, with Tom Grivosti and Ross Draper coming into the team that beat Dunfermline 2-1.
Into the Alloa team came defender Sam Roscoe, who is on loan from Aberdeen, as they looked to build on the 3-0 Scottish Cup win over Brechin City.
County were the first to threaten through Jamie Lindsay after Josh Mullin picked him out, however his low strike was dealt with comfortably by Neil Parry.
Mistakes were creeping into Alloa’s game and they were given a reprieve on 14 minutes with Mckay missing the target completely. Mullin’s hopeful punt forward had been misjudged by Andy Graham and he allowed Mckay in, as Parry closed him down then pulled out of the challenge. However, Mckay was unbalanced and sent his shot wide of the unguarded net.
The visitors were starting to turn the screw but were passing up opportunities to hit the target, with Mckay and Jamie Lindsay both firing over in quick succession.
Alloa nearly made them pay on 29 minutes when Kevin Cawley’s diagonal ball was headed across goal by Alan Trouten, only for him to put too much weight on the header for Greig Spence to reach.
Parry was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers and he got down quickly to hold on to Mullin’s drive, after good work by Draper.
The home side struggled to get out of their half for much of the first period and bar a Cawley header that Scott Fox clung on to, the County stopper had little to do.
County’s pressure continued into the second half, with Mullin’s rasping effort having Parry scrambling across goal, only to watch the ball fly inches wide.
The Wasps’ goalkeeper continued to impress in keeping County at bay, with a big right hand denying Mullin from the edge of the box before the hour.
Parry was again on hand to somehow deny Mckay on 69 minutes after he struck Mullin’s cross first time. The shot appeared destined for the bottom corner until Parry’s intervention, diverting the ball around the post.
Despite waves of pressure and umpteen balls into the box for red shirts to attack, Alloa looked to be holding firm, until Watson headed in Mullin’s cross in injury time.
