MX23RW : Friday, January 8 01:15:03| >> :120:34584:34584:

Result: Ross County move off the bottom by beating Hibernian

New County manager John Hughes claimed his first victory since taking over.

Ross County climbed off the bottom of the Premiership table after ending a six-game losing run with a 2-0 victory at Hibernian.

Harry Paton ended a 571-minute goal drought with a fine first-half strike before former Hibs forward Oli Shaw doubled his team's lead in the second half.

It was a first victory for new County manager John Hughes at the third attempt as the visitors moved a point clear of Hamilton.

Hibs dominated possession during the early stages against a County team who were clearly lacking confidence from a woeful run of form.

However, Hughes would have been pleased that his team were giving goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw adequate protection.

County's night got even better in the 25th minute when Paton scored against the run of play.

The diminutive forward accepted a Shaw pass on the edge of the box before striking a low left-footed drive past Dillon Barnes.

County had their tails up after breaking the deadlock. Jermaine Hylton then had a shot deflected wide for a corner seconds later.

From Iain Vigurs' resulting set-piece, Stephen Kelly struck a fierce half-volley from outside the box that Barnes pushed over the bar.

Hibs should have levelled in the 32nd minute but Christian Doidge lifted Martin Boyle's square pass well over from 12 yards.

County goalkeeper Laidlaw then pulled off a save to deny Joe Newell from distance.

Hibs upped their pressure in the second half as they went in search of parity.

Laidlaw was again called upon to save well from Melker Hallberg's free-kick.

The Dingwall side then breathed a sigh of relief that referee Don Robertson did not award a penalty when Shaw appeared to trip Boyle inside the box.

Doidge headed just wide from a Newell corner before County doubled their lead in the 76th minute.

Hylton raced along the byline before cutting the ball back for Shaw to tap in from close range.

ID:428544:cQx

How you voted: Hibernian vs Ross County

Hibernian
89.2%
Draw
8.1%
Ross County
2.7%
37
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Rangers manager Steven Gerrard pictured on November 22, 2020
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers2220205755262
2Celtic19134245153043
3Aberdeen2011632718939
4Hibernian2210663023736
5Livingston208392526-127
6Dundee UnitedDundee Utd226881727-1026
7St Mirren196491522-722
8Kilmarnock2163122226-421
9St Johnstone2247111931-1219
10Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2153132145-2418
11Motherwell2045111731-1417
12Ross County2245131339-2617

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