Bore draw knocks Ross County off the top

Queen of the South 0 Ross County 0

ROSS County were left frustrated in Dumfries as they were unable to find a goal that would have kept them at the top of the Scottish Championship.

Queen of the South had the best of the action in the first half and came close to scoring midway through the opening 45 minutes when Lyndon Dykes turned Ross Draper and charged into the box with only the goalkeeper to beat.

But Scott Fox parried his shot out for a corner which he dealt with comfortably.

The hosts went close again before the half hour mark when Gary Harkins teed up Stephen Dobbie 10 yards from goal and his powerful shot beat Scott Fox but cannoned off the crossbar.

Ross County thought they went into the break in the lead when Declan McManus fired the ball into the back of the net but was ruled offside as the game remained scoreless at the interval.

Ross County stormed out the blocks in the second half and almost took the lead when Don Cowie’s cross into the box was unchallenged by Michael Doyle allowing Michael Gardyne to nip in with a shot on target.

But his shot was straight at goalkeeper Alan Martin who blocked his effort as the Queens defence punted the ball away from danger.

Gardyne went close again after Josh Mullin’s cross from the right wing found him eight yards from goal but his header went inches over the bar.

Mullin also chanced his luck with a free kick 20 yards from goal after Scott Mercer brought down McManus at the edge of the box.

But despite getting his shot over the wall it went well wide of the right hand post.

Iain Vigurs had a great chance at goal from 18 yards after Queen's defender Jordan Marshall fluffed his clearance but the midfielder's shot was too powerful to get anywhere near under the crossbar.

The hosts threatened late on with Kyle Jacobs launching a thunderous effort from 30 yards which was held by Scott Fox as both teams settled for a point.

QOS: Martin, Mercer, Marshall, Doyle, Stirling, Jacobs, Todd, Dobbie, Semple, Harkins (Frizzell 86), Dykes.

Subs (Unused) Leighfield, Exley, Murray, Bell, Norman, Harvey.

Ross Country: Fox, Fontaine, Morris, Draper, Gardyne (Kelly 77), Lindsay, McManus (McKay 70), Vigurs, Mullin, Graham, Cowie (Stewart 88).

Subs (Unused)

Munro, Demetriou, Keillor-Dunn, Dingwall, Stewart.

Referee: Steven McLean