ROSS COUNTY defender Coll Donaldson believes his side are moving in the right direction under John Hughes – but admits improvement on the park only counts if results follow suit.

The Dingwall outfit conceded twice in the final ten minutes against Livingston on Sunday, eventually losing 3-1.

And despite an upturn in performances since new manager Hughes arrived at the club, Donaldson knows four points in five matches does not suffice.

READ MORE: Livingston 3-1 Ross County: Forrest and Hamilton seal win

“It’s disappointing, especially after all we put into the game,” he conceded after the defeat.

“You don’t want to be blowing smoke up you’re a**e after a defeat. We need to look at it as it is.

“It’s a defeat, and another disappointing weekend for us.”

The visitors struggled to assert themselves in the early stages of the match at the Toni Macaroni, faced with a buoyant Livingston side chasing their eight successive victory. But after going behind to a Scott Robinson goal, they would equalise through Charlie Lakin after 28 minutes.

Glasgow Times:

The goal was County’s first real foray up the pitch and appeared the catalyst for their best spell in the game. They should have led when Oli Shaw sent a header over the bar from close range soon after their equaliser.

However, two late goals from Alan Forrest and Jack Hamilton secured the points for David Martindale’s side, ensuring County remain bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

“I felt we started a bit shaky in the first 10 minutes, but the goal settled us down. After that there wasn’t really a lot between the teams, I don’t think either goalkeeper was too busy,” Donaldson said.

“We’re bitterly disappointed with the way the game ended. I have to give it to Livingston, they do what they do and they won the game.”

Donaldson, who began his career at Livingston under Hughes, retains confidence that a managerial change has sparked a reaction from his squad, even if that hasn’t quite translated into points.

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“Everyone has a wee uplift when a new manager comes in. I don’t know what the reason is, it just seems to happen across football," he continued.

“The manager’s ideas have been brilliant, the boys are reacting well to his words, the way he’s wanting us to work and train.

“I’m enjoying working for him again so far, but we need to get results for him, for the club and for ourselves.

“We’ve got a good manager, good players and we are doing all right but we need to start winning football games.”