Dundee vs Ross County. Scottish Premiership.
The Scot Foam Stadium at Dens ParkAttendance4,621.
Report and highlights as Regan Charles-Cook's 80th-minute winner seals Ross County's 2-1 win at Dundee; Zak Rudden opened scoring for home side before Joseph Hungbo struck equaliser; County move eight points clear of Dundee, who remain bottom of Scottish Premiership
Saturday 5 February 2022 21:32, UK
Dundee remain bottom of the Scottish Premiership after Ross County came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory at Dens Park.
Zak Rudden gave the Dark Blues a first-half lead with Joseph Hungbo equalising for County just seconds before the break.
Regan Charles-Cook had a penalty saved in the second half but the league's top scorer later made amends to net what proved to be the winner, with Dundee reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Vontae Daley-Campbell received a straight red card.
The result moved the 10th-placed Staggies eight points clear of rock bottom Dundee, who have now gone nine games without a league win.
The home side were on the attack from the first whistle and came agonisingly close to opening the scoring with just 30 seconds on the clock as Paul McMullan hit a ferocious 25-yard shot that cannoned off the top of Ross County 'keeper Ross Laidlaw's crossbar.
Charles-Cook then had to make a vital challenge in his own box as Daley-Campbell looked to pull the trigger.
However, Dundee took the lead in the 24th minute. Skipper Jordan McGhee teed up Rudden inside the Staggies box and the striker made no mistake, clinically drilling the ball low past Laidlaw.
Dundee then had a gilt-edged opportunity to double their advantage when Rudden linked with McMullan down the right before the winger laid the ball on a plate for Max Anderson, but the midfielder shot straight at Laidlaw with the goal at his mercy.
However, right on the stroke of half-time, the Staggies equalised after the ball broke to Hungbo on the left and he advanced on goal before hitting a shot that beat Adam Legzdins at his near post.
Ross County then had a superb chance to make it two in the 59th minute when they were awarded a penalty by referee Don Robertson after Cammy Kerr was deemed to have handled a Connor Randall cross inside his own box.
Charles-Cook stepped up to take the spot-kick but it was a tame effort and a grateful Legzdins made a vital save.
Despite that, County looked the likelier to take the lead as the half progressed and so it proved in the 80th minute with Charles-Cook racing down the right before producing an emphatic finish high past the exposed Legzdins.
Daley-Campbell was dismissed in added time for a reckless challenge on Harry Paton.
Ross County boss Malky Mackay praised his players after winning what was a "six-pointer" against Dundee, saying: "It was a steelier-looking Dundee team. They put their new signings in. We knew they would look for balls into Zak Rudden.
"In the first 15-20 minutes we didn't win too many second balls and they scored. After that, we stepped onto the game.
"We started opening them up and we looked comfortable in possession. The goal was coming. It was a great time to score, so I was delighted.
"I was really happy with the second half, the way we controlled the game. We could have scored a couple more. We missed the penalty, but looked really, really fit and aggressive.
"Especially coming here, a lot of people were talking of this being a six-pointer."
Under-pressure Dundee boss James McPake lamented the poor goals his relegation-threatened side conceded.
He said: "The decision-making from the start wasn't good enough. Both goals are ridiculous. They are nothing short of shambolic.
"I will take that on the chin as I pick up the team. I will take my share of the blame, or all the blame, if that's what gets thrown at me."
Dundee travel to Hearts on Wednesday - kick-off 7:45pm - while Ross County host Livingston on the same day, also at 7:45pm.
