Reserves fall to home defeat

The Reserves fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Ross County this afternoon in the SPFL Reserve League.

Alan Maybury fielded a young side peppered with some first-team experience but it was the Dingwall side who left Kelty with the points.

MATCH REPORT

It was back to SPFL Reserve League action for Alan Maybury's side this afternoon when Saints welcomed Ross County Reserves to New Central Park, Kelty.

Keen to bounce back from defeat in their last Reserve League match against St. Mirren, Saints started the match on the front foot and took the lead after just four minutes.

A free-kick from the left-hand-side found Liam Gordon in the Ross County box, and the defender smashed a left footed strike past the 'keeper to put Saints in front.

Just four minutes later and it could've been two when a long ball from Ben Quigley found Shaun Struthers at the edge of the box. The striker was dispossessed but the ball fell to Greg Hurst who tested County 'keeper Ross Munro.

Saints dominated the early stages but County did have a few chances of their own. Greg Hurst was forced to clear a Jack Murray header off the line, while Keillor-Dunn found himself one-on-one with Conor Mitchell after 23 minutes but the on-loan Burnley 'keeper made a smart save.

McClean came close just before the half hour mark, before almost turning provider for Euan O'Reilly three minutes later but the youngster couldn't get the ball past Munro.

Just as Saints were looking good value for a half-time lead, Ross County broke free down the right with Wallace who played the ball across to Davis Keillor-Dunn. The County forward controlled the ball well before firing into the top corner levelling the scores just before the break.

Jamie McKenzie was introduced to the action at half-time coming on for Euan O'Reilly and had some decent chances early on in the second-half.

The midfielder had two chances within two minutes at the beginning of the second period but couldn't find the target.

Despite Saints having the best of the play after the break, Ross County took the lead against the run of play thanks to right-back Shaun Kelly just before the hour mark.

Maybury made further changes with Lennon Smith, Jordan Northcott, John Robertson and Oliver Hamilton all introduced to the action to try and find an equaliser.

There were two more chances for the home side to draw level in the latter stages, firstly through Ali McCann who headed a fantastic ball from a Kyle McClean free-kick just wide of the target.

McClean had another free-kick in stoppage time and forced Munro to make a decent save before Hamilton's rebound was flagged for offside.

The match ended 2-1 to the visitors and despite a decent performance from Saints it was the Dingwall outfit who left with the points.

SAINTS: Conor Mitchell, Aaron Comrie, Gregor Donald, Liam Gordon (Lennon Smith 65), Ben Quigley, Ali McCann, Euan O'Reilly (Jamie McKenzie 45), Cameron Ballantyne (Jordan Northcott 73), Shaun Struthers (John Robertson 83), Kyle McClean, Greg Hurst (Oliver Hamilton 83).

UNUSED SUBS: Jack Wills, Jordan Bow.

SCORER: Liam Gordon (4)

BOOKED: Ali McCann (61)