Ross Co 2-3 Livingston

Tuis Ekim 28, 2021

A goal in recovery earned Livingston a 3-2 win and relegated struggling Ross County to a fourth consecutive Premiership defeat that leaves them winless after 10 games.

Substitute Tom Parkes’ header in the 95th minute was yet another bitter blow to target manager Malky Mackay after his struggling team squandered a chance to put Livingston on the spot.

It was also the price the county paid for a sloppy defense when Parkes was able to stand up and snatch the winner on Alan Forrest’s free-kick.

The Staggies got the perfect start and what they desperately needed to restore confidence in the ranks.

With just seven minutes left on the clock, Arsenal loaner Harry Clarke scored the opening goal when he picked up a pass from Ross Callachan and slammed a powerful 25-yard right-footed shot past Max Stryjek in the left corner of the net.

As they have been forced to try to comeback in most of their matches this season this was a different dynamic and it was immediately evident in the hosts’ game that they had received a big psychological boost.

Regan Charles-Cook and Joseph Hungbo embody the county’s adventurous spirit along the flanks and the latter unnerved Livingston with a promising run to the right that ended with a shot on target whistled at the far post.

But when the county was presented with a golden chance to increase their lead after 24 minutes, they wasted it completely.

After receiving a penalty from referee Euan Anderson when Charles-Cook was fouled by Ayo Obileye, Jordan White failed to get enough power behind his effort and the goalkeeper was able to save in his lower corner to right.

Things went from bad to worse seven minutes later when Livingston equalized due largely to poor defense.

Bruce Anderson was able to catch the end of Sean Kelly’s cross and deflect his header from the center of the box past Ash Maynard-Brewer.

It’s up to Livi to gain confidence and the game takes on a much more balanced aspect.

Significantly, Livingston had also started throwing the ball with some authority and, with just two minutes left in the first half, the balance of odds swung in their favor.

Their second goal was a quality thing, as Odin Bailey curled a perfectly hit left-footed shot around Maynard-Brewer after being presented with Scott Pittman’s opening at 20 yards.

For a long time it seemed that Livingston had the measure of the county, but luck favored the underdogs when they received a second penalty following a reckless challenge from Kelly over Hungbo in the 66th minute.

Callachan stepped forward to take the kick this time and while it wasn’t the most convincing penalty, he had enough power and direction to beat Stryjek.

But there was a sting in County’s tail and one that could ultimately have dire consequences.