St Johnstone 2
Ross County 1
Scottish Cup (4th Round)

Match Report

Source unknown.

St Johnstone extended their grip on the Scottish Cup for at least another few weeks after they won a breath taking tie at home to Ross County.
Tommy Wright's men were 2-0 ahead early through Michael O'Halloran and a fine effort from James McFadden.
County roared back through Jake Jervis, before the striker passed up a golden chance to level minutes later.
It means Jim McIntyre leads his team back north with a second defeat in Perth in seven days, but the Scottish Premiership's bottom club can be heartened by their display.
Joe Cardle's inclusion ahead of the benched Michael Gardyne was the only change for the Dingwall side.
County had struggled to get going in the first 45 minutes in the previous week and they were determined to assert themselves earlier this time.
Within 12 minutes they were 2-0 down.
First James McFadden's free-kick rebounded off the wall to O'Halloran who was given the time to turn and drive past Mark Brown.
However, the assistant referee had flagged for offside against Graham who was standing in front of the goalkeeper, but it was ignored and the goal stood, to the fury of the Highlanders.
There was no doubt, though, about the second. The County defence stood off McFadden as he picked up a poor clearance, and gave him time to take a touch and pick a spot in the top corner from just outside the box.
Saints continued to flood forward with both goals-corers going close again.
County rallied before half-time. Martin Woods rattled in a shot from close range that was blocked, then Frazer Wright almost headed into his own net, forcing a great save from Alan Mannus.
The danger was always that they could lose a third with the home side breaking at pace, and Lee Croft was denied only by a goal-line clearance from Scott Boyd.
It was frantic action and the half-time break did little to curb the flow of the game.
Joe Cardle jinked past a huddle of blue shirts before hitting his shot on the wrong side of the post, and Mannus had to tip over a Jamie Reckord shot at full stretch.
At the other end O'Halloran's low drive was deflected over and Graham was inches away from finishing a McFadden cross.
If referee John Beaton had angered the visitors at the first goal, it was smart play from the man of the middle that allowed County to pull one back, playing advantage after Liam Boyce was sent sprawling.
Jake Jervis beat the offside trap to collect the long ball forward and slotted past the advancing Alan Mannus.
The relentless pace continued with four great chances from both sides all being passed up.
Jervis should have made it all square when Filip Kiss picked him out in the box, but he contrived to send send his point blank range effort wide of the target.
At the other end Brian Graham thumped the ball off the bar, then knocked wide with the goal gaping shortly after Mackay had swept a volley past the top corner.
Mark Brown denied David Wotherspoon at the near post, but County could only create half chances at the other end and the home side held on to make the next round.