Ross County vs Dundee. Scottish Premiership.
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Report as Dundee score dramatic late winner away at Ross County; Joe Shaugnessy's goal earns points for visitors after both sides miss earlier chances
Saturday 16 December 2023 20:48, UK
Joe Shaughnessy grabbed a dramatic winner for Dundee with the last touch of the game as they won 1-0 at Ross County in the cinch Premiership.
It had looked like the points would be shared after an entertaining afternoon in Dingwall, where both sides had a number of chances.
The visitors were left celebrating, though, with the Dundee captain sparking joyous scenes in the away end.
Dundee's Jordan McGhee was twice called into action in the first half to make important blocks, first to deny Ben Purrington's back-post header from going in at close range and then to stop Simon Murray's shot rolling into the net when he beat Trevor Carson.
It was by no means one-way traffic, though, as Dundee looked dangerous on the counter attack with Owen Beck and Luke McCowan proving to be two driving forces down the left flank.
Murray then had another golden chance right on the cusp of the break, cutting in from the left wing to forge a shooting opportunity only for Dundee stopper Carson to keep him out.
The second half continued where the first left off, with Ryan Leak blocking Amadou Bakayoko's shot to make sure it did not trouble Ross Laidlaw.
Bakayoko should have found the back of the net in the 70th minute when he somehow conspired to head over the bar from just a yard or two out and he would go on to force a good save out of Laidlaw after cutting inside on his left foot on the edge of the box.
Going into the last 15 minutes, Dundee had a succession of corners to keep the pressure on their hosts, with deliveries being put right on top of Laidlaw and forcing him to deal with them through a crowd of bodies.
County would turn the tide in the closing stages, though, and Eamonn Brophy forced Carson into a good save - with James Brown putting the follow up over the bar as he ran in with a full head of steam.
Jack Baldwin thought he had made a crucial block to deny Dundee a winner when Beck weaved his way past a couple of defenders but there would be late drama as the visitors grabbed the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
McCowan hit a direct free-kick from 20 yards out that smacked off the post and the ball bounced off Shaughnessy and into the back of the net with the referee blowing the full-time whistle as the celebrations were ongoing.
Ross County manager Derek Adams: "The standard since I've come back to this country is shocking. Today, if I'm a paying customer, I don't come to watch this football match.
"The standard has got to be a lot better. The way we pass the ball, create chances - it has to be better - and that's for both sides.
"Today I've seen some good play but over the afternoon I'm standing on the touchline thinking 'what a job you have got on here'.
"I've left a club that is 100 times better and we had the lowest budget in League Two. I just see some of the things that happened and think 'seriously?'
"It is so disappointing. I'm so annoyed, just at the way the [Scottish] game is. Even the opposition. You want someone to show up and produce some entertainment. I'm not seeing anything.
"I don't see any entertainment. If this is the best we've got in the country, what are we going to do?"
Dundee manager Tony Docherty: "It was a fantastic result and I think a deserved one.
"There was only one team in the second half and I think conditions played a huge part in the game.
"We have conceded a few late goals this season but I told the boys we could recover that and we did that today.
"It's testament to the boys' work ethic, mentality, the way they fight for each other, so I couldn't be more pleased for them - and the fans, who were outstanding.
"There's nothing better as a manager than seeing your players celebrating with your supporters."
Ross County's next Scottish Premiership match is at home to Hibernian on December 23, while Dundee host Aberdeen on the same day.
Both matches kick off at 3pm.