Killie go down 2-nil to Ross County at home

Goals from Alex Schalk and substitute Brian Graham gave Ross County a 2-0 Ladbrokes Premiership win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park to keep the home side in relegation trouble.

Schalk headed in a Michael Gardyne cross after eight minutes with the visitors seeing out the rest of the game in a degree of comfort before Graham, on for David Goodwillie, added a second in the last minute.

While the Highlanders got back on track after losing 3-0 at home to bottom side Dundee United at the weekend to move into fourth place, Killie manager Lee Clark is still looking for his first win since taking over last month and his side remain eight points ahead of the Tannadice outfit but have now played two games more.

And by the sound of the home supporters when the final whistle sounded, they do not have a lot of hope in their side.

Before kick-off there was a minute's applause for former Kilmarnock player Jim McFadzean who recently passed away.

Killie made the early running with Northern Ireland striker Josh Magennis causing problems for the visitors with his pace and power.

In the sixth minute he raced to the bye-line before setting up Greg Kiltie with a cut-back only to see the on-rushing midfielder knock it over the bar from close range.

County proved more lethal in their first real attack two minutes later.

Gardyne's pinpoint cross from the left was met by Schalk and under no pressure he glanced a header past Killie keeper Jamie MacDonald and in off the far post.

The Rugby Park defence looked nervy and a low drive on the turn by Schalk from 16 yards had MacDonald diving down to his right-hand post to pull off a fine one-handed save.

Midfielder Kallum Higginbotham replaced the injured Tope Obadeyi on the half-hour mark by which time Killie, despite increasing the tempo, were no further forward in their attempts to level.

Midfielder Gary Dicker did have the ball in the net but referee Stephen Finnie ruled it out for a foul on Staggies keeper Gary Woods by Rory McKenzie, to no great protest.

Woods made a decent save from McKenzie' curling 25-yard effort in the 49th minute as the Ayrshire men dominated the start of the second half.

County were playing on the break but not too often and on the hour mark Staggies boss Jim McIntyre replaced Schalk with Liam Boyce, looking for a boost in attack.

The home supporters became increasingly agitated as the second half unfolded and more corners were wasted by poor delivery.

Dale Carrick came on for McKenzie in the 70th minute and then Mark O'Hara replaced Julien Faubert, and in between those substitutions Graham replaced Goodwillie for the visitors.

County remained assured in defence while doing little at the other end but in the 77th minute Boyce met Graham's cross from the left and headed the ball off the outside of the post and behind.

In the final minute of nornal time Graham made it 2-0 when he lobbed over MacDonald following a long punt by Woods, to the groans of the Killie faithful.

Ross County boss Jim McIntyre confirmed keeper Scott Fox will miss the League Cup final against Hibernian after a scan revealed medial ligament damage which will keep him out for at least eight weeks.

Fox picked up the injury in the 3-0 home defeat to Dundee United at the weekend and his place was taken by Gary Woods, on loan from Leyton Orient, for the 2-0 Premiership win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Goals from Alex Chalk and substitute Brian Graham left a delighted McIntyre claiming it was a great night for us, a big three points'' but his mood changed when asked about Fox's knee injury which keeps him out the Hampden final on March 13.

He said: Scott has a grade two/three tear in his medial.

He will visit the surgeon and we will decide what course of action is required.

You are looking at a minimum of eight weeks.

Scott is gutted. He got the news early today and it will sink in over the coming games.

We have a final to look forward to and he has played a huge part in getting us there.

It is the business end of the season and he has been really unfortunate.

But having said that, that is why we acquired Gary in the summer.

We knew he was a very good goalkeeper and I wanted two keepers to be battling it out and he came in tonight and looked as if he has been there all season.''

Struggling Kilmarnock remain eight points ahead of bottom side Dundee United who have two games in hand.

Manager Lee Clark was unhappy with his side's lacklustre performance.

He said: It's put us in a tough position but there still needs to be fight.

At half-time I didn't feel we had enough showing the right fight for the position we are in.

I thought we started quite well on front foot but we gave two horrific goals away from a defensive point of view.

I told the players in no uncertain terms at half-time but if you're conceding and not scoring it's difficult.''

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