Ross County defeated English side Carlisle United 2-0 at Victoria Park in their final warm-up match ahead of the Premiership campaign.
Second-half goals from Simon Power and Iain Vigurs secured the Staggies’ victory against Steven Pressley’s Cumbrians, who finished 11th in English League Two last season.
Newly-promoted County’s victory follows four wins from four in their Betfred Cup group section, meaning the Dingwall outfit will approach their Premiership opener against Hamilton Accies next Saturday full of confidence.
County included Ross Draper and Danny Armstrong for the first time this season after both shrugged off injuries, while Jack Ruddy was in goals for the first time, although there was no place for Lee Erwin.
County started brightly, and created a fine chance inside the opening 60 seconds with Armstrong off target with a header after being picked out unmarked by Blair Spittal’s cross, while Draper also blazed over from close-range on nine minutes.
The first half was largely bereft of goalmouth action however, with Ruddy making saves from Jack Bridge and Nathan Thomas. County had the final opportunity of the half, with Joe Chalmers trying his luck from distance but seeing his shot well gathered by goalkeeper Adam Collin – who previously spent a brief loan spell with Aberdeen.
Staggies co-managers Stuart Kettlewell and Steven Ferguson changed virtually the entire side at the break, and the new-look Dingwall men took the lead on 52 minutes. Brian Graham saw a low effort blocked by the legs of Collin, with the ball ricocheting into the path of Power to tap home from point-blank range.
Carlisle could have levelled almost immediately when Thomas drilled inches wide of Ruddy’s left hand post, before at the other end Graham’s header struck the post from a Michael Gardyne cross.
Vigurs added a second goal on 73 minutes with a free kick from a wide right position which curled all the way into the far corner through a crowded penalty area.
