| Ross County 'keeper Michael McGovern was the hero with two penalty saves as his side booked their place in the ALBA Challenge Cup final after a 4-3 shoot-out win over Partick Thistle. Partick had looked set for a 2-1 win thanks to Patrick Boyle's second-half goal but the home side levelled with two minutes left through substitute Andrew Barrowman. A goalless extra-time followed before McGovern saved from Iain Flannigan and Boyle to put County through to face Queen of the South in the final next month. The visitors started on top and came close to an opener inside five minutes. A deep cross found its way through to Kris Doolan at the far post but his stinging volley was well saved by McGovern. But Thistle were not to be denied and centre-half William Kinniburgh gave them an eighth-minute lead. An inswinging corner from the left by Paul Cairney was met by Kinniburgh just inside the six-yard box and he planted the ball into the bottom corner. Garry Wood had a chance to level the scores at the start of the second half but could only direct his header into the arms of goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell. But it wasn't long before County did draw level through Scott Morrison's 54th-minute screamer. Michael Gardyne cut in from the right and after drawing a challenge from a defender laid the ball off to Morrison who smashed it into the top corner from 20 yards. Martin Grehan had an instant chance to put Partick back ahead but fired wildly over, before Boyle did find the net in the 64th minute. John Robertson drilled in a shot from the edge of the area and when McGovern could only parry the ball back into play, Boyle reacted quickly to steer home. Wood was replaced by Barrowman with seven minutes left and the striker took just five minutes to equalise. A free-kick into the area was not dealt with and Barrowman was in the right place to steer his shot in and send the tie into extra-time. Barrowman had the best chance of the extra 30 minutes but his header was well held by Halliwell and the tie went to penalties. Martin Scott saw his kick saved for County but McGovern's heroics allowed Steven Craig to strike the winning penalty. Ross County :McGovern, Morrison, Boyd, Miller, McCormack, Brittain, Vigurs (Lawson 73), Scott, Wood (Barrowman 83), Craig, Gardine Subs not used: Malin, Flynn, Kettlewell Goals: Morrison. Barrowman Yellow cards: Brittain Partick Thistle: Halliwell, McNamara, Kinniburgh (Hodge 97), Archibald, Robertson, Boyle, Paton, Flannigan, Cairney, Grehan (Erskene 81), Doohlan (Buchanan 62) Subs not used: Hinchcliffe, Balatoni, Hodge Goals: Kinniburgh, Boyle Yellow cards: McNamara, Archibald, Buchanan, Erskene Attendance: 1,307 Referee: S Conroy |
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