Ross County reached the last-16 of the Betfred Cup after Brian Graham’s double secured a 2-0 victory over Forfar Athletic.
The Staggies coasted to victory over the League 1 outfit with minimal fuss, with the triumph securing them a clean sweep of Group B victories.
County made five changes from the side which defeated St Johnstone 2-1 on Sunday, with skipper Marcus Fraser, Callum Morris, Michael Gardyne, Brian Graham and Harry Paton restored, in place of Tom Grivost, Josh Mullin, Keith Watson, Joe Chalmers and Ross Stewart. There was no place in the squad for their two most recent additions, goalkeeper Jack Ruddy and striker Lee Erwin, on a day in which midfielder Jamie Lindsay departed for Rotherham United.
Chances were limited in the opening stages, with County taking an early lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances on 15 minutes, with Graham on hand to divert Gardyne’s wayward strike into the net.
County had further chances to extend their lead before the break, with Blair Spittal seeing a powerful low drive whistle inches past the post, while Billy Mckay was thwarted by Marc McCallum when one-on-one with the Loons goalkeeper.
Forfar enjoyed a decent spell at the first half, with Andy Jackson drilling a low effort into the side netting, while at the other end Blair Spittal saw a powerful drive well gathered by McCallum.
The Staggies wrapped up the victory on 76 minutes however, with Fraser’s deep delivery from the right flank bulleted home by the head of Graham for his second of the evening.
Graham was denied a hat-trick when McCallum parried his low shot moments later, with substitute Simon Power unable to squeeze home the rebound.
