A share of the spoils was the correct conclusion yesterday in Dingwall according to both managers, as two first-half goals earned Ross County and St Johnstone a point each in the Highlands.

In a game where the hosts dominated the first-half and the visitors had the better of the second, neither could begrudge a 1-1 draw.

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“It was a game of two halves, first-half I felt we were very good,” said County boss John Hughes.

“But second half it was all St Johnstone and we were under the cosh, and stood up to it to be fair. Over the piece probably, a game of two halves and it was probably a fair result.

“We win together and lose together. I’m just happy with their {Ross County players} commitment, and {that} they’re digging in. I’m delighted with their spirit and desire.”

In midweek County had displayed all the signs of a side embracing their new manager’s ideas and their confidence on the ball was apparent.

Lined up in a very loose 4-3-3 yesterday, the hosts’ fluid movement in possession and freedom to move out with traditional positions proved difficult to deal with for Saints. On more than one occasion, the travelling back line could be heard encouraging their side to stick to positions, as they become overrun by the off-the-ball movement.

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And County would lead in 20 minutes, when a cross from Jason Naismith swung in from the right saw Jermaine Hylton test Zander Clark before the ball dropped to Ross Draper, who finished hard and low. The midfielder, who is more commonly known for his defensive abilities, embodying the freedom offered to join the attack by scoring the goal from just inside the penalty box.

The style of play so synonymous with Hughes’ teams does not come without its own risks however, and while Draper and the likes high positions earned the opener it also made the home side vulnerable on the counter-attack. There was an evident emphasis on Saints’ play to try and steal possession of the ball when their opponents had moved men forward and were set up to attack.

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Saints would equalise minutes after going behind. When a ball was fired in from the right flank following a mix up in the County ranks, Craig Conway got in front of Keith Watson inside the area and earned a stonewall penalty, which he duly struck home right into the corner.

The second half coincided with a drop in intensity from Hughes’ team and he responded by scarifying Iain Vigurs for the more offensive Michael Gardyne, but it was the introduction of David Wotherspoon that had a real bearing on the second half as the visitors grew into the game and began to exploit the space they couldn’t in the first half.

The Canadian international and Conway began to dictate exchanges as the half wore on. Wotherspoon should have had an assist when he cushioned a through ball from a Conway pass into the path of Chris Kane who didn’t even test Ross Laidlaw from 18 yards. Laidlaw would make a superb save to keep the score at 1-1 soon after, when he kept out a Liam Gordon effort from close range after Conway had put an inviting ball into the perfect area from a dead ball.

But it was his opposing number Clark who was most pivotal in earning his side a draw in the closing stages as the home side regained a foothold. Showing superb reactions to tip a powerful Watson header over the bar before getting a hand to a Josh Reid drive from the corner of the box struck with similar velocity.

Glasgow Times:

The draw bookended a miserable end to the festive run for St Johnstone, who have amassed just two points In their six fixtures since their draw at Parkhead.

“The intensity we pressed at and our work rate for the first 20 minutes wasn’t good enough,” admitted Saints’ boss Callum Davidson.

“I think we sorted out, got better got the goal and up until the last 20 minutes of the game I thought we were the better team.

“We started poorly, probably the poorest we’ve started a game this season. We had the majority of the chances and for me we’ve got to take them and out them under pressure and put the game to bed.”