A CONTENTIOUS Jamie McGrath penalty – best described as “soft” – in the final stages of this game put St Mirren within one win of a top six place for the first time since the split was introduced.
It wasn’t a game that was particularly pretty on the eye but the sight of the league table will be pleasing for Jim Goodwin, who might have felt a fair bit of pressure before a ball was kicked this term when Tony Fitzpatrick, the club’s chief executive, predicted the squad was strong enough for such a placing.
In fairness, St Mirren looked on course for the win in the opening period in which Ross County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw denied them a lead with a super save from a Conor McCarthy header. After that, though, there was little of note other than a series of half chances with the Highlanders growing into the game.
Saints keeper Jak Alwick had a TV moment of his own as he pulled off a similarly impressive stop in the second period when he tipped a Jordan White header onto the bar and then managed to scramble a touch to Stephen Kelly’s reboundwhich again came off the woodwork.
St Mirren substitute Cammy MacPherson had to head an Alex Iacovitti effort off the line before Saints took the lead via the spot.
Leo Hjelde, the 17-year-old defender who is on loan from Celtic, was judged to have tripped Collin Quaner with John Hughes not mincing his words when referee Greg Aitken gave what was a soft award; “embarrassing” he bellowed from the dug-out.
“I don’t think it was a dive,” protested Goodwin. “Collin has got the wrong side of the defender. It was soft, no doubt.
“I’ve made my opinions clear on penalties given against us. I’m not going to try to pull the wool over people’s eyes and say it was stonewall.
“But that’s the way the game has gone and if we don’t do something about it that’s what happens. I don’t think it was simulation, there was slight contact. Was there enough to make the big man go over? I’ll have to have a look.”
McGarth’s effort ended St Mirren’s run of five draws. It made for a scrambled finale to the game as Ross County chased a leveller. A rush of blood to the head had Alnwick dribbling the ball out of his own box before a panicked boot into the stands and from the resultant throw-in Jordan Tillson sent an effort just wide.
At the other end MacPherson had an effort that crept close from the edge of the box as the game headed into added time.
It leaves Ross County a point ahead of Kilmarnock and two ahead of Hamilton whom they have a game in hand over but Hughes was irked at the call which decided the points.
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“He flung his leg out there, it’s not even a free-kick in the middle of pitch,” he said. “We’re bitterly disappointed. With what’s at stake, boys playing for livelihoods, you’re wanting these decisions to be correct but who would be a ref. He gets paid and he needs to make it spot on. I wish it was my team. If that’s where the game has gone maybe we’re too honest.
“We need to use it as fuel to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
“I’m not going to point the finger at the ref. He made an honest decision but once he sees it he’ll know he’s been conned.”
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