Dundee vs Ross County. Scottish Premiership.
The Scot Foam Stadium at Dens ParkAttendance5,846.
Match report as Dundee ease to victory at home to Ross County in the cinch Premiership
Saturday 17 February 2024 18:51, UK
Dundee made it back-to-back cinch Premiership wins with a comfortable victory over Ross County at Dens Park.
Scott Tiffoney was the Dark Blues' hero with what proved to be a decisive double as the win took Tony Docherty's side within three points of St Mirren in fifth.
County had chances but failed to take them, with Don Cowie's strugglers now facing a huge match next week against rock-bottom Livingston who moved to within three points of County with their shock win over St Mirren.
The hosts were the first to threaten in the third minute when Luke McCowan linked with Lyall Cameron, who fizzed a low 25-yard shot just inches past the post.
The Staggies responded immediately with Eamonn Brophy hitting a speculative long-range effort that flew over Dundee 'keeper Trevor Carson's bar.
Brophy had another opportunity when he made space for himself inside the home box but his fierce shot was blocked at his near post by Carson.
Dundee then put together a well-worked string of passes that ended with another Cameron shot that was deflected over the bar thanks to a last-gasp intervention by Staggies defender Michee Efete.
The Dark Blues continued to press, with Jordan McGhee the latest player to have a pot shot at goal but his attempt flew well wide of County 'keeper George Wickens' left-hand post.
McGhee then came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock when he was first to a superb Owen Beck cross but his header was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Wickens.
Dundee were enjoying the majority of possession but they survived a huge scare just after the half-hour mark when Carson had to come to the rescue with a great reaction save to deny Staggies striker Simon Murray, whose point-blank header seemed destined for the back of the net.
Instead, it was the home side who finally made the breakthrough in the 45th minute when Dara Costelloe slipped a pass into Tiffoney to send him in on goal and the winger kept his cool, hitting a clinical finish past Wickens.
Dundee doubled their advantage in the 65th minute when the ball broke to Tiffoney on the edge of the County box and the winger took full advantage, hitting a low shot past Wickens and into the bottom corner of the net.
County huffed and puffed for a way back into the game but Dundee comfortably held on to take all three points.
Dundee manager Tony Docherty:
"I am absolutely delighted. I keep seeing the team improving and now you can see the strength of us in keeping the clean sheet.
"Ross County are a good team and I knew it wouldn't be an easy game.
"But the quality of the goals from Scott Tiffoney and then the defending as a team was really pleasing.
"I'm delighted for Tiff. He works so hard. There has been an adaptation period for Tiff coming up from the Championship. He got his rewards today for the efforts he puts in.
"I see the amount of work he puts in during the week and I'm delighted he gets the reward."
Interim Ross County boss Don Cowie:
"I thought we were good, it was a good away performance. We did a lot of things that I really enjoyed and really liked, but we switched off twice in 90 minutes and we got punished.
"Dundee will be very happy in the manner of getting the goal right on half-time. From our point of view it was really frustrating, but the message at half-time was to keep doing what we were doing.
"I really enjoyed what I was seeing and we did that, but we got punished. We've got to learn from that.
"It's about not feeling sorry for ourselves. We've got to just keep doing what we are doing and working away. If we keep putting performances like that in, the results will come.
"I'm confident. It's going to be difficult because there are a lot of good teams in this league. We have to be ready going into every game. I have seen improvements from Wednesday night, we worked really hard against Rangers.
"In this game I thought we worked hard and passed the ball really well at times. The players are a little bit down after the game because they put a lot into it, and probably felt they deserved at least a point."
Dundee's next Scottish Premiership match is away to Hibs on February 24, while Ross County host Livingston.
Both games kick off at 3pm.
