Ross County claimed their fourth goalless draw of the season against Dundee United at Tannadice.

The visitors looked more likely to break the deadlock in the first half, with Colin McMenamin's header hitting the crossbar early on.

McMenamin squandered further chances as County asserted themselves.

But it was United who came closest to an opener in the second half, with Ryan Dow's floated effort ricocheting off the bar 20 minutes from the end.

County are now 40 league games unbeaten and sit equal on points with second-place United as well as Celtic and Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.

The Highland side almost took the lead early on when McMenamin hit the bar with a header and the striker missed a great chance in the 10th minute when, from six yards, he knocked the ball wide of goal after United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak had failed to control a passback from Keith Watson.

United responded and Johnny Russell beat two men on a 30-yard run but was thwarted when keeper Michael Fraser blocked his low shot with his foot, and Russell's follow-up hit the side net.

Michael Gardyne also tested the County keeper with a neat first-half turn and shot, Fraser leaping to his left to beat the ball to safety.

County's Iain Vigurs whipped in a cross at the start of the second half and the ball skimmed off the head of McMenamin before flashing wide.

United then gained the upper hand for a spell and created a clutch of opportunities.

Ryan Dow went down under a challenge from Ross Tokely but referee Willie Collum waved aside the home crowd's claims for a penalty.

Fraser then had to race off his line to boot away a through ball meant for the onrushing John Rankin.

On the hour mark, Dow lofted a Marc Fitzpatrick clearance over the County keeper only to hit the bar and Gavin Gunning's downward header was well saved at the far post by the ever-alert Fraser minutes later.

Keith Watson's shot deflected off Richard Brittain and looped goalwards but Fraser dealt with the danger smartly and clutched the ball to ensure County left Tayside with a point.

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Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (4)

Dundee United

  • 01 Cierzniak
  • 02 Dillon
  • 04 McLean
  • 05 Gunning
  • 12 Watson
  • 06 Flood
  • 08 Rankin
  • 16 Armstrong
  • 07 Russell
  • 15 Gardyne
  • 18 Dow (Gauld - 83' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Banks
  • 03 Douglas
  • 10 Ryan
  • 14 Millar
  • 28 Robertson
  • 38 Gauld
  • 23 Hilson

Ross County

  • 01 Fraser
  • 03 Fitzpatrick
  • 04 Munro
  • 05 Boyd
  • 06 Tokely (Kovacevic - 74' )
  • 07 Kettlewell
  • 10 Brittain Booked
  • 11 Vigurs
  • 12 Quinn Booked
  • 09 McMenamin (Morrow - 61' )
  • 20 Glen (Scott - 80' )

Substitutes

  • 25 Brown
  • 22 Kovacevic
  • 14 Scott
  • 24 Ross
  • 17 Morrow
  • 26 Dingwall
  • 27 Porritt
Ref: Collum
Att: 6,892

Match Stats

Shots

14 4

On target

7 0

Corners

4 4

Fouls

4 12

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +2:53 Full time

Full Time The match has reached full-time.

90:00 +2:13

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Keith Watson by Scott Boyd. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Willo Flood from left wing, Stuart Kettlewell makes a clearance.

89:34

Inswinging corner taken by Willo Flood, Gavin Gunning produces a header from inside the six-yard box that clears the bar.

88:07

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Willo Flood from the left by-line, clearance made by Marc Fitzpatrick.

86:20

Keith Watson takes a shot. Save made by Michael Fraser.

85:03

Outswinging corner taken by Willo Flood, Scott Boyd makes a clearance. Outswinging corner taken by Willo Flood, Gavin Gunning takes a shot. Save by Michael Fraser.

82:12 Substitution

Substitution Ryan Gauld comes on in place of Ryan Dow.

81:22

Grant Munro fouled by Michael Gardyne, the ref awards a free kick. Michael Fraser takes the free kick.

79:51 Substitution

Substitution Gary Glen leaves the field to be replaced by Martin Scott.

78:23

Corner taken by Iain Vigurs, Sean Dillon manages to make a clearance.

75:28

The ball is delivered by Gary Glen, save made by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

73:41 Substitution

Substitution Mihael Kovacevic comes on in place of Ross Tokely.

73:41

John Rankin concedes a free kick for a foul on Scott Boyd. Free kick taken by Michael Fraser.

71:17

The ball is sent over by Michael Gardyne, Scott Boyd manages to make a clearance.

69:36

The official flags Johnny Russell offside. Indirect free kick taken by Scott Boyd.

67:40

Effort on goal by Ryan Dow from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

65:57

Sam Morrow challenges Johnny Russell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Gavin Gunning.

61:43

Long distance shot from Rocco Quinn misses to the left of the goal.

61:43

Long distance shot from Keith Watson misses to the left of the goal.

60:43 Substitution

Substitution Sam Morrow joins the action as a substitute, replacing Colin McMenamin.

60:43

Colin McMenamin concedes a free kick for a foul on Stuart Armstrong. Free kick taken by Keith Watson.

58:52

The ball is sent over by Ryan Dow,

56:54

Stuart Armstrong takes a shot from 35 yards and went wide of the left-hand post.

54:39

John Rankin takes a shot. Save by Michael Fraser.

53:22 Booking

Booking Booking for Richard Brittain for dissent.

52:37

Brian McLean takes a shot. Michael Fraser makes a save.

50:39

Inswinging corner taken by Iain Vigurs from the right by-line, Rocco Quinn sends in a cross. The referee penalises Grant Munro for handball. Radoslaw Cierzniak takes the indirect free kick.

49:41

Iain Vigurs delivers the ball.

45:19

Free kick awarded for a foul by Richard Brittain on Stuart Armstrong. Gavin Gunning takes the free kick.

45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.

45:00 +0:20 Half time

Half Time The referee calls an end to the first half.

44:23

Iain Vigurs concedes a free kick for a foul on Keith Watson. Keith Watson restarts play with the free kick.

37:28

Gary Glen is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

37:02

Michael Gardyne takes a shot. Michael Fraser makes a save.

33:53

Gavin Gunning takes the direct free kick.

33:53 Booking

Booking Booking for Rocco Quinn.

33:47

Foul by Rocco Quinn on Ryan Dow, free kick awarded.

31:57

Foul by Stuart Kettlewell on Stuart Armstrong, free kick awarded. The ball is crossed by Willo Flood, Gavin Gunning takes a shot. Save made by Michael Fraser.

30:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Rocco Quinn on Michael Gardyne. Direct free kick taken by Brian McLean.

29:33

The ball is swung over by Ryan Dow.

27:27

Sean Dillon concedes a free kick for a foul on Colin McMenamin. The ball is sent over by Richard Brittain, Ross Tokely takes a shot.

27:27

Foul by Sean Dillon on Colin McMenamin, free kick awarded. Richard Brittain produces a cross, Ross Tokely takes a shot.

25:24

Centre by Keith Watson, Johnny Russell produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

22:21

Johnny Russell takes a shot. Blocked by Michael Fraser. Effort from inside the six-yard box by Johnny Russell goes wide right of the target.

19:29

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on John Rankin by Stuart Kettlewell. Willo Flood crosses the ball in from the free kick, Ross Tokely gets a block in.

18:30

The ball is delivered by Keith Watson.

16:06

Shot by Johnny Russell from a long way out goes over the target.

14:50

The referee blows for offside. Radoslaw Cierzniak takes the free kick.

12:55

Free kick awarded for a foul by Rocco Quinn on Ryan Dow. Brian McLean takes the free kick.

10:02

Scott Boyd challenges Michael Gardyne unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Willo Flood, Ross Tokely manages to make a clearance.

9:34

Close range shot by Colin McMenamin goes wide of the right-hand upright.

8:02

Stuart Armstrong challenges Stuart Kettlewell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Michael Fraser takes the direct free kick.

6:47

Brian McLean crosses the ball, clearance made by Grant Munro.

3:41

Inswinging corner taken by Iain Vigurs from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Ryan Dow.

2:23

Richard Brittain gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on John Rankin. Willo Flood takes the direct free kick.

0:48

Inswinging corner taken by Richard Brittain from the right by-line, Close range headed effort by Scott Boyd clears the crossbar.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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