ROSS County’s lead at the top of Irn Bru Division One was sliced to three points on Saturday after a wonder goal helped basement boys Ayr United nick a draw in Dingwall.
The result makes it an incredible 19 successive league matches without defeat, although the nine draws this season have kept Falkirk and Dundee within range.
Grant Munro’s early strike had put the Staggies on course for victory, but on-loan Blackpool starlet Liam Tomsett sent Ayr’s shivering fans dancing in the snow with a 30-yard cracker.
The visitors’ Jonathan Tiffoney was then sent off after picking up a second booking, but County could not muster that winner and Falkirk’s 1-0 victory at Hamilton sees them move into second spot.
Following last Tuesday’s 2-1 William Hill Scottish Cup defeat, boss Derek Adams brought several of his first-team picks back into the starting 11 for this one, including Munro, Michael Fraser and captain Richard Brittain.
After early pressure from the hosts, defender Munro got County off to a flying start when he pounced to steer a Paul Lawson corner past keeper Kevin Cuthbert via Scott Boyd’s knock on.
Steven Craig almost made it 2-0 a few minutes later, but he blazed the ball over the crossbar from eight yards.
The Honest Men, who have two games in hand over ninth-placed Raith Rovers at the foot of the table, then settled into the game and County goalkeeper Fraser had to be alert to keep out a shot from Keigan Parker and then from Mark Roberts in the next attack.
County were soon back in control and Iain Vigurs and Craig had chances to score before Scott Morrison drew a fine save from Cuthbert.
Michael Gardyne replaced Craig midway through the second half and only a diving save from Cuthbert kept out the Dundee United-bound forward.
County were made to pay for not notching a killer second goal when Tomsett found himself in plenty of space and unleashed an unstoppable 30-yarder past Fraser to send the band of Ayr fans crazy – and leave the Highlanders rocked.
Tiffoney was then sent off by referee Euan Norris for collecting his second booking of the game.
County pressed hard for the winner, with Boyd’s effort cleared off the goal-line, and the sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.
On Tuesday night, County will be determined to stretch their lead at the top to six points when they play one of their two games in hand, as Morton visit Victoria Park. Their two rivals for the title, Falkirk and Dundee meet at the same time, at the Falkirk Stadium.
This Saturday, County face a tough test when they go to one of their main challengers, Dundee.
County: Fraser, Miller, Morrison, Boyd, Munro, Lawson (Quinn 64), Craig (Gardyne 63), Vigurs, Corcoran (Morrow 82), Brittain, McMenamin. Subs not used: Malin (GK), Flynn.
Ayr United: Cuthbert, Tiffoney, Smith, Malone, Dodd, Parker (Ross Robertson 82), Geggan (McKernon 42), Tomsett, McGowan, Moffat, Roberts (Wardlaw 70). Sibs not used: McWilliams (GK), Shankland.
Referee: Euan Norris.
Attendance: 2,390.
