Ross County skipper Marcus Fraser struck two minutes into stoppage time to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over St Mirren.
County had led through Ross Stewart’s seventh goal of the season midway through the first half, however Ross Laidlaw’s blunder looked to have prevented them claiming all three points as he allowed a Tony Andreu free kick slip underneath his body.
Fraser struck in injury time to secure all three points for the Dingwall men, who are now behind sixth-placed Kilmarnock only on goal difference.
County made three changes from the side which went down 3-0 to Aberdeen a fortnight previously, with debutant Ewan Henderson and Harry Paton drafted into the midfield and Liam Fontaine returning from injury. Callum Morris, Tom Grovisti and Josh Mullin were the players who made way.
There was little action at either goalmouth during the first half, with both sides limited to attempts from distance. Saints skipper Kyle Magennis was first to threaten after just three minutes, with drilled effort which trundled well wide of target.
The Staggies began to enjoy the bulk of possession, but had little by way of opportunities to show for it, with Henderson coming closest in the first half with a low effort which whistled just wide.
It was Saints who ended the first half on top however, with Magennis letting fly with another long-range strike which rattled the top of the crossbar.
The Buddies thought they had taken the lead two minutes before the interval when Sean McLoughlin trundled the ball goalwards after Ross Laidlaw had clawed away a Magennis free kick, however referee Colin Steven adjudged that Jon Obika had got a touch on the ball in an offside position.
County started the second half strongly, with Paton seeing a low effort palmed wide by Vaclav Hladky after a neat exchange with Henderson.
Saints threatened at the other end when Paul McGinn stabbed Kyle McAllister’s corner wide from close range, while Stewart saw a header held by Hladky after getting on the end of Mckay’s delivery.
County were not to be denied on 62 minutes however, with Stewart finding the net against his former club after Mckay had helped Richard Foster’s delivery into his path, with the forward lashing high into the net.
Saints threatened to net an instant equaliser, with Magennis hitting the woodwork for the second time with an effort which clipped the outside of the post.
County looked to be well on their way to seeing the game out but their lead was cancelled out on 73 minutes, when Laidlaw allowed Andreu’s free kick to squirm underneath him when the goalkeeper appeared to have the ball within his grasp.
It was a blow for the Staggies, who threatened a winner through headers from Liam Fontaine and Ross Stewart, however Fraser had the final say when he got on the end of Michael Gardyne’s cross to secure a dramatic victory.
