Ross County breathed fresh life into their survival bid with a vital 2-0 win over Livingston in their opening post-split fixture.

Towards the end of a cagey first half, with very little to show between the two sides, the Staggies made a timely breakthrough on 40 minutes. Yan Dhanda’s pinpoint delivery was met by the head of Alex Iacovitti who guided an effort past Shamal George.

The goal gave County the impetus to take complete command of the second half, and an inspired substitution from Malky Mackay helped them double their advantage on 61 minutes. Alex Samuel, who had been on the park less than four minutes, was on the receiving end of another sublime delivery from Dhanda, and on hand to thump a header home.

Livingston barely laid a glove on the Staggies in the second half and the day got even worse for David Martindale’s men, when a VAR check upgraded Kurtis Guthrie’s foul on Keith Watson from a yellow card to a red.

County knew they would remain bottom of the Premiership no matter what, but defeats for Kilmarnock and Dundee United mean they are now just a point behind both sides with four matches remaining.

Staggies wipe off scars of Tynecastle

County came into the match fresh from a chastening 6-1 loss against Hearts in their final post-split fixture.

Given the manner of the defeat, and the results elsewhere which left them four points adrift, it was always going to be interesting to see how they would react.

It took time for them to get into their flow against the Lions, who arguably made the better start to the game without ever troubling the hosts’ goal.

After making the breakthrough before half-time through Alex Iacovitti, the Staggies never looked like relinquishing their lead. After Alex Samuel doubled their advantage, there were chances for County to add further to the scoreline.

The need for a strong start to the post-split fixtures almost made this a must-win match. Having done that, and tightened up the standings at the foot of the table, County will feel they can put serious pressure on Kilmarnock and Dundee United if they continue their momentum against the latter at Tannadice next weekend.

Samuel breaks his duck

Welshman Samuel has endured a difficult time since making the switch to Dingwall from Wycombe Wanderers in summer 2021.

After making just six appearances in his debut campaign, he went on to suffer a cruciate ligament injury which sidelined him from action for 10 months.

Since returning in January, Samuel has been limited to just a scattering of substitute appearances.

He was brought on at a relatively early, albeit crucially important stage against Livi, when there was still just a solitary goal in it.

He immediately showed tenacity alongside fellow substitute Josh Stones, and was quickly rewarded within four minutes when his thumping header from a Dhanda delivery put the Staggies firmly on course for victory.

It could barely have been a more timely manner for him to net his first Staggies goal.

Given the likely injury absence of Eamonn Brophy for the remainder of the campaign, County need as many of their forwards on form as possible during the run-in. Mackay will have taken delight at seeing Samuel step up to the mark.

Dhanda deliveries made difference

The match was ultimately settled by two similar goals, which both stemmed from moments of quality from returning midfielder Yan Dhanda.

Englishman Dhanda was making his first start since suffering a foot injury, at a point when he was starting to make a telling impact on Mackay’s side.

The quality of delivery which Dhanda supplied for the two goals will be a key asset for the Staggies in the remaining four games, especially when his team-mates are coming to know what to expect as the finishes from Iacovitti and Samuel would suggest.

Talking tactics

Mackay shook his side up from the team which suffered the bruising defeat at Tynecastle. Teenager Dylan Smith, Josh Sims and Nohan Kenneh dropped out, with skipper Keith Watson, Jack Baldwin and Yan Dhanda recalled to the starting line-up.

Referee watch

David Dickinson had a quiet afternoon until the dying stages, when he was summoned to check the VAR monitor following Kurtis Guthrie’s challenge on Keith Watson. After concluding Guthrie caught the Staggies skipper with a flailing arm, he opted to upgrade the initial yellow card to a red.

Player ratings

ROSS COUNTY (3-4-1-2): Laidlaw 6; Watson 6, Baldwin 6, Iacovitti 6; Randall 7, Loturi 6 (Kenneh 57), Cancola 6 (Tillson 70), Harmon 6; Dhanda 8 (O Edwards 84); Murray 6 (A Samuel 57), White 6 (Stones 57).

Subs not used: Munro, Sims, Hiwula, Tillson, Smith.

LIVINGSTON (4-3-3): George 6; Devlin 6, Boyes 6, Fitzwater 6 (De Lucas 71), Montano 5 (Penrice 61); Stephen Kelly 6, Holt 6, Sean Kelly 6; Bradley 5 (Bahamboula 71), Anderson 6 (Guthrie 73), Nouble 6.

Subs not used: Hamilton, Brandon, Parkes, Shinnie, Pittman

Attendance: 3,129

Star man

Yan Dhanda was back in the starting 11 for the first time following injury, and he picked up from where he left off by supplying two excellent deliveries for the two goals.