Ross County goalkeeper Scott Fox believes the Staggies’ home wins have provided the bedrock for their progress this season.
The Championship leaders, edging closer to title success, have lost only once at Dingwall throughout the entire campaign – and are out to protect that record tonight when Dunfermline visit.
With three of their next four fixtures at home, County could finish the job and win promotion back to the top flight in front of their own fans.
Anything short of a Dundee United victory at home to Ayr on Friday would allow County to clinch a Premiership return by the weekend with wins over the Pars tonight and then Partick Thistle.
But Fox is looking no further than the challenge of Dunfermline, whom he describes as “a different animal” under new manager Stevie Crawford.
County have won all three clashes with the Pars so far this season, but Fox stressed: “Dunfermline will have the bit between their teeth after losing a two-goal lead at the weekend.
“We know it is going to be difficult against them, especially with Stevie Crawford in charge now – he’s turned them into a different animal to play against.
“Our games against them have all been difficult anyway but, at the same time, we’ve managed to get results when we’ve required them.
“We’re just looking to try to take another step forwards.
“We have to be wary. They will probably see it as their last chance to make the play-offs. We know it is not going to be easy and they’ll probably see this one as a free crack at us.
“We’ve only lost once here at home which shows what it has been like. Teams don’t like coming here and we seem to like playing here.
“We’ve obviously scored a few last-minute goals here as well, which just goes to show how the crowd have got behind us to keep going.”
There was no hiding the significance of Jamie Lindsay’s late, late equaliser on Friday, with County escaping the possibility of seeing their Championship cushion trimmed to two points. Instead, they can go eight points clear by winning tonight’s game in hand.
Fox said: “I think the fans enjoyed Friday night’s finish. It was a big goal, more in terms of our momentum and the way it hurt Dundee United. We enjoyed it, but we need to finish the job now.
“It has been a difficult spell in terms of the physical side of it, with so many matches. The mental side of it is we’re going for the league. That’s the goal at the end of it and we’re focused on that.
“It can be draining, but we’ve trained hard all year and done all the work in pre-season as well. This is when it counts.
“Hopefully we can get the results we need.”
