Saturday 17th September 2011 – Ross County FC 1-1 Livingston FC
On the back of the home draw with Falkirk, the Lions made the longest trip they'll make in the league as they travelled North to Victoria Park to take on Ross County.
Bobby Barr and Jonathan Brown had to make do with places on the bench as Kyle Jacobs and David Sinclair came into the team.
Ross County, who's squad is complete with seven ex-Livi players, aswell as ex-Livi midfielder Derek Adams as manager, started brightly and looked the likeliest to open the scoring. Rocco Quinn was first to try his luck but fired a 20 yard effort high over the bar after some good work out wide by Iain Vigurs. Soon afterwards Mark Corcoran's overhead kick attempt appeared to strike Craig Barr's arm in the box as he attempted to clear but the referee waved play on before Grant Munro shot into a pack of defenders.
Top scorer Iain Russell was first to have an effort at the Ross County goal but he dragged his shot wide of the post after working hard to create a shooting opportunity.
Totally against the run of play and the Lions found themselves a goal up. Sinclair's free-kick from the left travelled deep to the back post where Kyle Jacobs rose highest to head past Michael Fraser in the County goal.
With only 5 minutes to go until half-time, Gary Bollan would have been happy to see his team head into the break with a one-goal advantage. This wasn't to be however as another questionable penalty decision gave the opponent a chance to get back in the game. Corcoran played a one-two with Vigurs and as he ran into the box, he fell to the ground after going shoulder to shoulder with Stefan Scougall. The referee deemed the challenge to be a foul and awarded the penalty. Former Livi captain Richie Brittain stepped up and sent McNeill the wrong way to level the game on 44 minutes.
Shortly after the break, Scougall nearly made amends by grabbing a goal. Liam Fox played the ball over the top and with Fraser rushing out of his goal, Scougall dinked the ball over him but Munro managed to get there first and headed the ball off the line and out for a corner.
Both teams were started to create chances and putting on show a real end-to-end second-half. A Vigurs free-kick was comfortably saved by McNeill while down the other end, Russell had a shot at chipping Fraser too but the keeper was able to save easily.
Vigurs was proving to be a real danger to Livi and he sent a glancing header just wide of the post after a good cross from Quinn. He then looked to turn provider and whipped in a dangerous free-kick but no County players got there and McNeil managed to punch clear.
Colin McMenamin then missed County's best chance of a goal. A brilliant cross from Marc Fitzpatrick found McMenamin unmarked and in acres of space at the back-post but he somehow managed to head well wide when it looked easier to score.
The game was to then take a somewhat sour note. An off the ball incident occurred between Craig Barr and Steven Craig. Despite the referee, and most others nearby not noticing anything, the linesman signalled for the referee's attention and after a brief word, a red card was shown and Craig was given his marching orders, giving the Lions a one-man advantage for the 6th time this season already. Craig was riled by this and had to be held back by his own team-mates as he vented his anger in the direction of the linesman.
Unfortunately this decision appeared to weigh on the mind of the referee and only 60 seconds later, he evened up the numbers. A high punt forward from Miller was challenged in the air by McMenamin and Watson and as both came back to the ground, the referee somehow adjudged Watson to have fouled the County front-man and showed him his second yellow card of the day and he joined Craig in having an early bath.
Having to re-shuffle things with the loss of Watson, Johnny Brown replaced Deuchar and instantly offered another attacking option. Straight away, his cross from the left found the head of Russell but he could only head straight at Fraser. Brown then had a chance of his own after being fed in by Russell but his low shot was saved by Fraser's legs and cleared to safety. Livi were piling on the pressure and Scougall tried a 25 yard effort but again, it was straight down the throat of Fraser.
There was still time for one more bit of controversy as McMenamin was bundled over in the box. Craig Barr's chest pass back towards McNeill was a bit short and as the 'keeper stretched to get there, McMenamin fell to the ground. The referee was instant in his decision – booking the striker for diving.
The final chance of the game fell to Russell and after turning his man in the box, his shot was again saved by the impressive Fraser and both teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.
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