Ross County vs Dundee United. Scottish Premiership.
Global Energy StadiumAttendance3,744.
Match report as Tony Watt's second-half equaliser stops bottom side Ross County leapfrogging Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership after the two sides draw 1-1; County's Ross Callachan had scored opener before break
Saturday 15 October 2022 20:43, UK
Tony Watt's second-half equaliser for Dundee United saw Ross County remain at the bottom of the cinch Premiership following a 1-1 draw in Dingwall.
Ross Callachan had opened the scoring in the 37th minute, but the visitors battled back well.
Their efforts were rewarded when Glenn Middleton set up Watt for a simple finish in the 61st minute, with neither side able to go on and find a winning goal that would have seen them rise up the league standings, with the Terrors remaining second bottom.
The first half only really burst into life as the interval approached, with some nice interchanges before then without any goal threat.
Watt went close with a header just after the half hour mark, though, before the Staggies opened the scoring.
Ben Purrington tried to play a one-two with Owura Edwards on the left flank, but it looked as though the ball was going out of play until Purrington managed to keep the move alive.
He found Callachan inside the box, who expertly picked out the top corner to score County's first goal in the opening 45 minutes of a Premiership game this season.
United briefly looked rattled, but could have equalised on the stroke of half time when Middleton counter attacked by running the length of the County half, only to be denied by a Ross Laidlaw save.
Shortly after the restart, Watt had a great chance to level the scores after Middleton cushioned a cross into his path, only to miss the target.
He would go one better just after the hour mark, again being teed up for a simple finish by Middleton, who needed two attempts to get his cross past Jack Baldwin.
With a little over 10 minutes left, Dylan Levitt nearly added another wondergoal to his collection as he rattled the crossbar from 30 yards out - with Laidlaw nowhere to keep the swirling ball out.
Both managers threw on attacking players inside the last 10 minutes to try and find a winner, but none was forthcoming.
Really, the solitary point suited neither side, with County and United each still occupying the bottom two places in the Premiership table.
Their only silver lining is that they are one point closer to St Johnstone, who lost away at Livingston.
Ross County manager Malky Mackay: "I thought we were terrific in the first half. We really came out of the blocks fast, moving the ball around the pitch well and we got in behind them.
"We were good value for our one goal, I'm just disappointed we weren't a bit more greedy to get further ahead at half time.
"In the second half they came out of the blocks fast, and then it was a decision of whether to hold on for a draw or push for the win.
"I was delighted we had the courage to really push in that last 15 minutes. We ended up with three or four lovely balls in from Yan Dhanda, on another day one of them goes in.
"We've been known for finishing fast here for a period of time, so I'm delighted we finished the game well."
Dundee United manager Liam Fox: "We're slightly frustrated we didn't take the three points, but it's a difficult venue to come to and we were playing against a decent side.
"It's the first time this season we've taken something from a game after going behind, so it has been a positive week for us.
"I just felt that over the first half we were flat. We looked a bit tired, so to come back from being one goal down, we're always trying to build resilience in the players, and every day it's a process.
"I don't want anybody getting comfy, we need to keep pushing them all the time. Looking at my bench today and some of the players I've left out, if anyone isn't at it there are players ready to step in. Competition is healthy, and that's how I want it going forward."
Dundee United have a Premier Sports Cup match at Kilmarnock on Tuesday night before returning to league duty away to St Mirren on 22 October.
Ross County travel to Rugby Park on the same day. Both matches kick-off at 3pm.
