Ross County’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end as Dundee United came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory at Victoria Park.
The Staggies had taken a first half lead through Coll Donaldson’s stunning strike, however Micky Mellon’s men hit back to take all three points thanks to goals from Peter Pawlett and Nicky Clark.
After tasting defeat for the first time this season, the Dingwall side will look to get back on track when they make the trip to St Mirren next Saturday.
County made two changes from the side which drew 2-2 with Kilmarnock on Wednesday, with Billy Mckay and Harry Paton restored in place of Josh Mullin and Regan Charles-Cook.
Clear cut chances were limited in the opening stages, with United registering the first attempt when Luke Bolton’s volley from an Adrian Sporle delivery forced youngster Josh Reid to block the ball behind on 11 minutes.
County saw a penalty appeal turned down on 21 minutes when Paton went to ground after running at United defender Mark Connolly, however referee Craig Napier brandished a yellow card to the midfielder for diving.
County’s first meaningful attempt came on 28 minutes when Michael Gardyne cut in from the left before seeing his strike cut out by Benjamin Siegrist at the near post.
The Staggies were not to be denied just a minute later, courtesy of a stunning opener from Donaldson. Vigurs returned the ball in from the left after his corner had been worked back to him, with the ball cleared as far as Donaldson who rifled a stunning low volley past Siegrist from 25 yards against his former club.
County spurned a great opportunity to net a second on 35 minutes when Gardyne’s delivery was taken down by Ross Stewart, however the attacker prodded his shot over the bar from 10 yards.
United took full advantage when they equalised just five minutes later, with Pawlett on hand to tuck home from close range after Sporle’s low strike had fallen kindly into his path.
The Staggies had a chance to regain their lead on the stroke of half time, with Stewart nodding over the bar from Paton’s corner.
United started the second half brightly, with Ian Harkes sending a strike narrowly wide from the edge of the box.
Staggies manager Stuart Kettlewell made his first change on 58 minutes when he brought Lee Erwin on for Gardyne, and the attacker nearly made an immediate impact when a driving run from the right set up Paton, however he struck a powerful effort just over.
United were denied by Ross Laidlaw moments later, with Bolton sent through by Louis Appere but seeing his shot blocked by the legs of the Staggies goalkeeper.
Stewart had another excellent chance on 75 minutes when Erwin played him through with a deft pass, however the strike drilled his first time effort wide, while Donaldson struck wide after the ball broke to him following a Mullin corner.
United struck the decisive goal 11 minutes from time, with Cammy Smith setting up fellow substitute Clark who angled a neat low drive into Laidlaw’s far corner.
The visitors had chances to extend their lead, with Clark shooting into the side netting and Pawlett denied by another fine save from Laidlaw.
