TALK about shrewd substitutions – Ross County's second-half switches turned a stalemate into a late rout. All three replacements combined to break the deadlock through Richie Hart before County leapt to seventh place. Further goals from Steven Craig and Sean Higgins wrapped it up.
County dominated the first half without carving out much of worth. But the hosts should have been ahead after barely a minute when Steven Craig drew a parry from Kevin Cuthbert. The goal was gaping for fellow striker Dyron Daal, but the Dutchman mis-
hit the rebound.
A lively start to the second half saw Richard Brittain drive forward towards the edge of the box and fire just over for County.
County survived a scare on 57 minutes. Peter Weatherson turned and rocketed against the inside angle of Bullock's bar and post. On the rebound, Andy Dowie was sharp to nick the ball away from Ryan McGuffie's toes. Weatherson missed another header in front of goal as Morton grew more dangerous. The striker was having a day of anguish – and rattled the crossbar from seven yards.
County finally broke the deadlock in 75 minutes – after a move involving all three subs. Higgins and Adam Strachan combined slickly before Hart side-footed home.
Within a minute, Strachan's cross from deep right was headed home at the far post by Craig for his sixth of the campaign. Higgins then turned brilliantly on the edge of the box to shoot the third high past Cuthbert.
The full article contains 251 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
