Motherwell came back from behind to defeat 10-man Ross County 2-1 in a thrilling match at Victoria Park.
The Staggies had led for much of the game thanks to Blair Spittal’s goal midway through the first half, however, County were unable to hold firm after Lewis Spence was dismissed just after the hour mark.
County’s resistance was broken by debutant Ross MacIver, who came back to haunt the Staggies who released him in the summer with a long-range effort nine minutes from time.
The Dingwall men were left empty-handed, with Declan Gallagher’s stoppage-time header sealing all three points for Stephen Robinson’s men.
County made two changes from their depleted side which went down 4-0 to Livingston the previous weekend, with Lee Erwin having failed to shake off the virus and Marcus Fraser dropping to the bench, being replaced by Liam Fontaine and Spittal.
Motherwell created the best early chance on seven minutes when James Scott was sent through by former Caley Thistle midfielder Liam Polworth, however goalkeeper Nathan Baxter was out quickly to thwart his effort.
County had glimpses through Josh Mullin and Ross Stewart who both sent efforts off target, while at the other end Motherwell’s Allan Campbell glanced a header from Jake Carroll’s delivery inches over.
The Staggies’ breakthrough arrived on 24 minutes, when Stewart fed Sean Kelly, whose delivery picked out the run of Spittal to guide home a header from 14 yards, Mark Gillespie unable to keep the effort out despite getting a strong hand to it.
Despite County’s breakthrough it was the visitors who ended the first half on top, with Jermaine Hylton’s long-range strike flashing wide, before Hylton set up Polworth who dragged an effort wide of target despite having only Baxter to beat.
County looked relatively comfortable at the start of the second half but their task of holding firm was made all the more difficult on 61 minutes when Spence was shown a straight red card for hauling down Sherwin Seedorf who was clean through just outside the box, despite having been booked shortly before.
Motherwell probed for a leveller, with Carroll sending an effort wide from close-range, before Polworth’s low free kick was scrambled to safety.
Well’s breakthrough arrived on 81 minutes however, with MacIver curling an excellent 25-yard strike beyond the reach of Baxter just seven minutes after being introduced for his debut.
The visitors hit County with a further blow in injury time, with Gallagher rising to head home Polworth’s corner and keep the Steelmen third in the table, sparking a pitch invasion from the visiting support.
