St Johnstone captain Dave Mackay netted his first goal of the season to ensure his side took a share of the spoils against Ross County.

Steven MacLean had the best chance of a drab first half, but County's Michael Fraser saved the long-range strike.

It was MacLean who set up Mackay for the opener on 51 minutes, the defender driving it home at the near post.

Against the run of play, County equalised when an Iain Vigurs shot was diverted into the net by Liam Craig.

The home side's efforts to boost the attendance with deals for youngsters resulted in a good crowd of 3037 but there wasn't a lot to keep them warm in terms of action in the first 45 minutes, although St Johnstone should have been in front within three minutes.

St Johnstone players celebrating

MacKay (far left) netted his first goal of the season to put Saints ahead

Nigel Hasselbaink did well to get away from his marker and swung in a great cross which Tade somehow managed to nudge past the post.

Mark Fotheringham and Richard Brittain had half-chances for the visitors while Steven Anderson shot over after County failed to clear a corner before Steven MacLean had the best chance of the half six minutes from the interval.

Hasselbaink's ball from the left found the former Rangers striker in a great position in the box, but he took too long to make up his mind and the chance was gone.

MacLean then fired in a terrific 25-yard shot which Michael Fraser tipped over the bar in first-half injury time.

MacLean made amends five minutes after the break with a ball inside the County defence to captain David Mackay, who turned inside Marc Fitzpatrick and fired his first goal of the season low past Fraser with a fine left-foot shot.

That signalled a good spell for the home side and MacLean was involved again when Tade's great run ended with a pass to his fellow striker, but this time Michael Kovacevic got back to clear off the line.

Derek Adams made a double substitution with Colin McMenanim and Ross Tokely coming on and his ambition was rewarded three minutes later with an equaliser.

Brittain's quick thinking from a free-kick was matched by Hasselbaink failing to see Vigurs get behind him and the midfield player's left-foot shot was deflected past Alan Mannus by Liam Craig.

There were half-chances after that but Derek Adams will be happier with the point than Steve Lomas.

Lineup, Bookings (4) & Substitutions (4)

St Johnstone

  • 01 Mannus
  • 02 MacKay
  • 03 Davidson
  • 05 Wright
  • 06 Anderson
  • 07 Millar
  • 08 Davidson
  • 10 Craig Booked
  • 11 Hasselbaink
  • 09 Tade (Vine - 73' )
  • 17 MacLean

Substitutes

  • 15 Tuffey
  • 19 Miller
  • 26 Caddis
  • 12 Robertson
  • 44 Thomson
  • 23 Vine
  • 41 Kane

Ross County

  • 01 Fraser
  • 03 Fitzpatrick Booked (Tokely - 65' )
  • 04 Munro Booked
  • 05 Boyd
  • 22 Kovacevic
  • 07 Kettlewell
  • 10 Brittain
  • 11 Vigurs
  • 29 Fotheringham Booked
  • 17 Morrow (Glen - 88' )
  • 24 Ross (McMenamin - 65' )

Substitutes

  • 25 Brown
  • 06 Tokely
  • 23 Macphee
  • 08 Lawson
  • 21 Cooper
  • 09 McMenamin
  • 20 Glen
Ref: Collum
Att: 3,037

Match Stats

Shots

8 7

On target

3 2

Corners

9 1

Fouls

9 11

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:11 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +1:18

Effort from deep inside the area by Iain Vigurs misses to the right of the target.

90:00 +0:34

Foul by Stuart Kettlewell on Murray Davidson, free kick awarded. Alan Mannus takes the direct free kick.

87:35

Richard Brittain takes the direct free kick.

87:35 Substitution

Substitution Sam Morrow goes off and Gary Glen comes on.

87:35

Unfair challenge on Colin McMenamin by Frazer Wright results in a free kick.

87:15

Callum Davidson delivers the ball, Scott Boyd manages to make a clearance.

85:43

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ross Tokely by Murray Davidson. Michael Fraser takes the free kick.

85:21

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nigel Hasselbaink by Mark Fotheringham. Direct free kick taken by Chris Millar.

84:55

Liam Craig delivers the ball, Scott Boyd manages to make a clearance.

82:15

David MacKay restarts play with the free kick.

82:15 Booking

Booking Grant Munro shown a yellow card.

82:09

Grant Munro gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Steven MacLean.

80:21

Scott Boyd challenges Murray Davidson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by David MacKay.

77:35

Steven MacLean takes a shot. Comfortable save by Michael Fraser.

76:00

The ball is delivered by Liam Craig.

75:05

Liam Craig takes the inswinging corner, Sam Morrow makes a clearance.

74:50

Centre by Rowan Vine, Ross Tokely manages to make a clearance.

73:58

Callum Davidson sends in a cross, save made by Michael Fraser.

72:36

Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Liam Craig, clearance made by Mark Fotheringham.

72:36 Substitution

Substitution Rowan Vine joins the action as a substitute, replacing Gregory Tade.

69:25

Assist by Richard Brittain.

69:25 Goal scored

Goal - Liam Craig - St J'stone 1 - 1 Ross Co Liam Craig concedes an unfortunate own goal. St Johnstone 1-1 Ross County.

68:00

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Sam Morrow by David MacKay. Free kick taken by Richard Brittain.

66:00

The ball is crossed by Richard Brittain. The referee blows for offside. Alan Mannus restarts play with the free kick.

64:23 Substitution

Substitution Ross Tokely on for Marc Fitzpatrick.

64:23 Substitution

Substitution Colin McMenamin replaces Steven Ross.

62:24

Steven MacLean produces a cross, Scott Boyd manages to make a clearance. Corner taken by Liam Craig, Mihael Kovacevic makes a clearance.

59:41

The ball is sent over by Gregory Tade.

57:11

Michael Fraser restarts play with the free kick.

57:11 Booking

Booking Liam Craig goes into the referee's book.

57:11 Booking

Booking Marc Fitzpatrick is shown a yellow card.

55:39

Unfair challenge on Marc Fitzpatrick by Gregory Tade results in a free kick.

54:47

The official flags Nigel Hasselbaink offside. Indirect free kick taken by Michael Fraser.

53:17

Steven MacLean is caught offside. Michael Fraser takes the indirect free kick.

52:38

Corner taken left-footed by Liam Craig from the left by-line, clearance by Stuart Kettlewell.

51:31

The ball is swung over by Liam Craig, Iain Vigurs makes a clearance.

50:06

Assist by Steven MacLean.

50:06 Goal scored

Goal - David MacKay - St J'stone 1 - 0 Ross Co Goal scored by David MacKay from just inside the area to the bottom right corner of the goal. St Johnstone 1-0 Ross County.

48:38

Unfair challenge on Steven MacLean by Scott Boyd results in a free kick. Liam Craig restarts play with the free kick.

47:22

Marc Fitzpatrick sends in a cross, Liam Craig manages to make a clearance.

46:11

The ball is delivered by Richard Brittain. The referee blows for offside. Alan Mannus takes the indirect free kick.

45:27

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Richard Brittain, Steven Anderson makes a clearance.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:00 +1:18 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +0:36

Steven MacLean takes a shot. Save made by Michael Fraser. Liam Craig takes the inswinging corner, Iain Vigurs manages to make a clearance.

43:13

Shot from outside the box by Chris Millar goes wide right of the target.

42:44

Free kick awarded for a foul by Iain Vigurs on Chris Millar. Direct free kick taken by Liam Craig.

40:58

Unfair challenge on Scott Boyd by Gregory Tade results in a free kick. Richard Brittain takes the free kick.

37:45

Callum Davidson sends in a cross, Scott Boyd manages to make a clearance.

36:21

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Grant Munro by Steven MacLean. Scott Boyd restarts play with the free kick.

35:22

Mihael Kovacevic crosses the ball, Frazer Wright manages to make a clearance.

33:27

Centre by David MacKay, Grant Munro makes a clearance. Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Liam Craig from the left by-line, Shot from close range by Steven Anderson clears the bar.

32:23

A cross is delivered by Grant Munro. Steven Ross is ruled offside. Alan Mannus restarts play with the free kick.

29:56

Liam Craig crosses the ball, clearance made by Mihael Kovacevic. Liam Craig takes the inswinging corner, save by Michael Fraser. Shot from outside the box by Chris Millar goes wide right of the target. Corner from the left by-line taken by Liam Craig, Frazer Wright has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the right of the target.

29:17

David MacKay produces a cross, Richard Brittain makes a clearance.

28:53

The ball is crossed by David MacKay, Richard Brittain makes a clearance.

27:44

Callum Davidson takes the free kick.

27:44 Booking

Booking The referee books Mark Fotheringham for unsporting behaviour.

27:39

Unfair challenge on Nigel Hasselbaink by Mark Fotheringham results in a free kick.

27:01

The ball is swung over by Iain Vigurs, Alan Mannus makes a save.

26:22

Gregory Tade is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Michael Fraser takes the indirect free kick.

25:44

The ball is delivered by Callum Davidson, Header by Liam Craig from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the goal.

24:55

The ball is sent over by Sam Morrow, Richard Brittain produces a volleyed right-footed shot from deep inside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

23:58

Chris Millar fouled by Stuart Kettlewell, the ref awards a free kick. Frazer Wright restarts play with the free kick.

22:19

Foul by Iain Vigurs on David MacKay, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Alan Mannus.

21:47

Foul by Steven MacLean on Richard Brittain, free kick awarded. Michael Fraser takes the direct free kick.

20:25

The ball is crossed by Marc Fitzpatrick, Callum Davidson makes a clearance.

16:26

Mihael Kovacevic has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the goal.

15:47

The assistant referee signals for offside against Gregory Tade. Michael Fraser takes the indirect free kick.

15:26

Steven Anderson produces a cross, Grant Munro manages to make a clearance.

14:48

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Liam Craig, Sam Morrow makes a clearance.

13:53

The ball is sent over by Gregory Tade, clearance by Scott Boyd.

13:04

The ball is sent over by Richard Brittain, Sam Morrow takes a shot. Save by Alan Mannus.

12:07

Shot from 35 yards by Mark Fotheringham missed to the right of the target.

11:55

Steven Ross sends in a cross.

10:56

Effort from just outside the area by Stuart Kettlewell goes over the bar.

8:07

Free kick awarded for a foul by Gregory Tade on Scott Boyd. Michael Fraser restarts play with the free kick.

7:47

Steven Ross is caught offside. Free kick taken by Alan Mannus.

5:55

Stuart Kettlewell fouled by Murray Davidson, the ref awards a free kick. Michael Fraser restarts play with the free kick.

5:38

The ball is sent over by Sam Morrow, save made by Alan Mannus.

3:50

Nigel Hasselbaink fouled by Iain Vigurs, the ref awards a free kick. Liam Craig takes the free kick.

2:52

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Murray Davidson by Sam Morrow. Free kick taken by Steven Anderson.

0:00

The ref blows the whistle to start the match.

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