Match ends, Ross County 1, Dundee 0.
Ross CountyRoss County1DundeeDundee0
Jamie Reckord's second-half close-range finish earned Ross County a third consecutive win that may prove crucial in their fight to avoid relegation.
Michael Gardyne broke in to the box, held off a challenge and his low cross was touched home by Reckord.
A Jake Jervis header came off the bar, with Scott Boyd and Jackson Irvine also going close for the home side.
Dundee pressed at the end but lacked penetration throughout with illness and injury affecting the squad.
County remain tenth in the Scottish Premiership, level on points with St Mirren and Motherwell but with a better goals scored tally than the Buddies and and a superior goal difference to Well.
County, having gained confidence from their recent wins, created the best opportunity of the opening period.
Liam Boyce closed in on James McPake and charged down a clearance. The striker then released the onrushing Gardyne, who had a clear sight of goal but blasted narrowly over.
Dundee suffered a set-back just before half-time when influential striker Greg Stewart had to be replaced and Kevin Thomson succumbed to a virus in the second period.
The home side were clearly determined to take the initiative after the break and Scott Boyd was presented with a great opportunity.
De Vita crossed after gathering from a corner, the ball evaded everyone and found Boyd all alone at the back post. The ball took an age to drop though and his close range strike was blocked by Bain.
Bain was called into action again shortly after that when Jackson Irvine swivelled in the box and swept a first-time effort low towards the far corner.
It seemed in all the way but Bain did superbly to get down low and touch the ball to safety.
County kept at it and were rewarded with the decisive goal after determined work from Gardyne.
The midfielder held off a strong challenge as he drove into the box and maintained his composure to cut the ball across the six yard box where left-back Reckord emerged to tap home with ease.
Substitute Jervis almost added a second for Jim McIntyre's side when his looping header beat Bain, only for the ball to bounce off the crossbar.
Four minutes of stoppage time added a nervousness to the finale but for all of Dundee's desire to get forward, Ross County were strong enough to hold out for another vital win.
Line-ups
Ross County
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 21Brown
- 44Fraser
- 5Boyd
- 43Quinn
- 12Reckord
- 40GardyneSubstituted forCardleat 69'minutes
- 26WoodsBooked at 81mins
- 36Irvine
- 24De Vita
- 11CurranBooked at 52minsSubstituted forKissat 84'minutes
- 16BoyceSubstituted forJervisat 75'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Reguero
- 3Meite
- 7Cardle
- 9Jervis
- 10Kiss
- 20Sernas
- 23Carey
Dundee
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 12Bain
- 19McGinnBooked at 67mins
- 4Konrad
- 5McPake
- 3Dyer
- 47HarrisSubstituted forBlackat 82'minutes
- 10ThomsonSubstituted forFerryat 61'minutes
- 48McGinn
- 20McAlister
- 29Harkins
- 15StewartSubstituted forWightonat 45'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Letheren
- 8McBride
- 11Ferry
- 24Black
- 26Gadzhalov
- 33Wighton
- 35Colquhoun
- Referee:
- Andrew Dallas
- Attendance:
- 3,413
Match Stats
Home TeamRoss CountyAway TeamDundee
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away0
- Corners
- Home4
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Ross County 1, Dundee 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Thomas Konrad (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Post update
Attempt blocked. James McPake (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Foul by Filip Kiss (Ross County).
Post update
James McPake (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Filip Kiss (Ross County).
Post update
Gary Harkins (Dundee) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Filip Kiss (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Paul McGinn (Dundee).
Post update
Attempt missed. Jake Jervis (Ross County) right footed shot from very close range is close, but misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Ross County. Filip Kiss replaces Craig Curran.
Post update
Jamie Reckord (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Stephen McGinn (Dundee).
Substitution
Substitution, Dundee. Andrew Black replaces Alex Harris.
Post update
Attempt missed. Gary Harkins (Dundee) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
Booking
Martin Woods (Ross County) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Martin Woods (Ross County).
Post update
Jim McAlister (Dundee) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Jake Jervis (Ross County) hits the bar with a header from the centre of the box.
