Kilmarnock vs Ross County. Scottish Premiership.
The BBSP Stadium, Rugby Park.
Report as 10-man Kilmarnock ease to emphatic victory; Stuart Findlay shown early red card; But goals from Eamonn Brophy, Nicke Kabamba and Chris Burke seal three points; Kilmarnock sixth after win, while Ross County are ninth
Saturday 21 November 2020 21:31, UK
Kilmarnock responded brilliantly to Stuart Findlay's early red card to beat struggling Ross County 3-1 at Rugby Park
Goals from Eamonn Brophy, Nicke Kabamba and Chris Burke handed Killie a vital win with a performance that was testament to the resilience that Alex Dyer has instilled in his squad.
Ross County failed to capitalise on their advantage throughout and they remain without a win in their last seven Premiership games.
It was a nightmare start for Kilmarnock as Findlay was shown a straight red by referee Colin Steven after nine minutes.
The 25-year-old was completely unaware of Ross Stewart who nipped the ball from him and, as he attempted to rectify his mistake, he caught the striker and was sent off.
The visitors had every right to feel aggravated but they channelled that frustration into taking the lead in the 14th minute. Mitch Pinnock delivered a stunning left-footed cross and the diminutive Brophy nipped between static defenders to head home.
Brophy has struggled to recapture the form that earned him a Scotland call-up last year but he almost doubled Killie's advantage after 16 minutes, forcing Ross Doohan into a smart save.
Stuart Kettlewell was visibly annoyed by County's insipid performance and replaced midfielder Jordan Tillson with experienced striker Billy McKay after just 26 minutes.
The Staggies grabbed a deserved equaliser on 43 minutes through Tom Grivosti. County worked a short corner to Stephen Kelly, who curled a pinpoint cross from the angle of the box for Grivosti to glance a header home.
Killie made the better start to the second half and Kirk Broadfoot's powerful shot forced Doohan to palm behind after the defender embarked on a marauding run after 49 minutes.
Kilmarnock continued to push forward and were rewarded when referee Steven pointed to the spot in the 68th minute. Coll Donaldson was adjudged to have fouled Pinnock and Kabamba confidently slotted the penalty past Doohan for his fifth goal of the season.
The visitors applied constant pressure in the final 10 minutes and Brandon Haunstrup made a brilliant block to deny substitute Jermaine Hylton.
Charles Lakin went agonisingly close with a thunderous effort before Danny Rogers produced a brilliant flying save to deny Josh Reid after 87 minutes.
With County committing men forward in search of an equaliser, Kilmarnock caught them on the break and substitute Burke fired emphatically home to add gloss to a stunning win.
Kilmarnock boss Alex Dyer: "It was an excellent win after going down to 10 men, the lads really showed what they're about. There's a great team spirit and the boys worked really hard for each other.
"We reacted well to the dismissal. Gary Dicker slotted into defence before I changed it at half-time and moved Gary back into midfield. It was harsh on Brophy who was playing well and scored his goal.
"I was quite calm when we lost Stuart. We managed it against Hamilton and got a good result and it was the same sort of game today.
"We've worked really hard all week so it's a nice day for the players and staff. It's not always that we'll go down to 10 men but at least we know we can handle it."
Ross County boss Stuart Kettlewell: "It's one of the worst results in the 12 years that I've been associated with this club, it's unacceptable. It lacked spirit, it lacked heart and it was everything I was against in football.
"We didn't lay a glove on Kilmarnock, they won every second ball. We always ask our players to play with grit and determination but that was lacking today."
Kilmarnock are not in action again until December 5, when they are away to Hamilton; kick-off 3pm. Ross County travel to face Celtic in the Scottish League Cup next Sunday; kick-off 2pm.
The champions then host Ross County in the Scottish League Cup next Sunday; kick-off 2pm.
