Yan Dhanda helped raise Ross County's hopes of avoiding relegation from the Premiership as the Staggies took a 2-1 lead in their final play-off first leg against Championship promotion hopefuls Raith Rovers at a rain-soaked Stark's Park.
After a dull first half, County took command with Dhanda's 53rd-minute penalty following a handball by Euan Murray and captain Jack Baldwin made it 2-0 with a 71st-minute header from Dhanda's corner.
But Rovers gave themselves hope of salvaging the tie when they pulled one back through Sam Stanton with eight minutes left in the return leg at Dingwall on Sunday.
The Kirkcaldy side are looking to return to the top flight for the first time since 1997, while the Staggies, who beat Partick Thistle in last season's play-off final, are hoping to extend their five-year run in the Premiership.
How Ross County Won
Ross County's Yan Dhanda celebrates with Jordan White (L) after scoring 1-0.
Raith boss Ian Murray made one mandatory change to his side for last Friday's semi-final second leg win over Partick. On-loan County midfielder Kyle Turner is not eligible to face his parent club and has been replaced by Jack Hamilton.
County manager Don Cowie sent the same XI that drew 2-2 at home to 10-man Aberdeen on Sunday, paving the way for St Johnstone to take them into this play as they leapfrogged them to 10th place in the Cinch Premiership. -turn off.
The visitors started aggressively and put the home side on the back foot early on, but they had their first notable opportunity in the 18th minute when Simon Murray headed a Danda free-kick wide of the far post.
The home side then came into the game for a spell and Euan Murray received a cross from Aidan Connolly but failed to find the target with a header from 12 yards.
Both sides struggled to beat the opposition goalkeeper but County threatened two minutes before the break when Will Nightingale's strike was deflected wide for a corner, Baldwin beating three Rovers players inside the box before his drive was cleared by the keeper from close range. I saw a blockage in the post. Kevin Dombrowski.
Raith, who failed to pose too many problems for the top-flight visitors before the break, went desperately close to an opener four minutes into the second period when Lewis Vaughan sent Connolly down the right and the winger cut inside and curled a dipping shot just beyond . Far post.
Ross County's Yan Dhanda scored from the penalty spot.
But just a minute later, deflation occurred for the hosts. But County were awarded a penalty after a VAR check deduced that Murray had stuck his arm into the box to block Ellie King's shot from 25 yards out. Dhanda's powerful spot kick found the net, but only after hitting the inside of Dabrowski's left post.
Raith came close to an equalizer on the hour mark when Connolly's low strike from the edge of the box was deflected backwards by Ryan Leak, but appeared to go wide anyway.
Dabrowski did well to save with 20 minutes remaining when he went down the left to keep up King's curling effort. But seconds later, the goalkeeper was helpless as Baldwin headed the ball home from just outside the six-yard box when Danda's corner kick was headed home.
Ross County's Jack Baldwin celebrates with Jordan White, Will Nightingale and Connor Randall after scoring to make it 2-0.
But just as the tie looked like it was slipping away, Rovers were given a lifeline in the 82nd minute when Vaughan pushed Ross Matthews down the right and the full-back's cut-back went emphatically into the goal for Stanton's eight-shot. Yards out.
The hosts called for an equalizer in the closing stages but need a win at Dingwall on Sunday to end their 27-year wait for a return to the Premiership.
What the managers said…
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Don Cowie said he was delighted with his group after the 2-1 win.
ross county CEO Don Cowie: “I thought this show deserved to be at the forefront.
“I was disappointed not to get a clean sheet because at 2-0 I thought we were starting to look really comfortable.
“That’s my only frustration. Other than that, I’m really proud of this group.”
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Ian Murray says Raith Rovers remain level after losing 2-1.
race rovers CEO Ian Murray: “I thought Ross County started well, but it's difficult to play against a higher level team.
“We were a little sloppy at times, a little impatient with the ball. A few adjustments helped us and for most of the second half except for 10 minutes I thought we were the better side.
“A late goal gives us a chance. We know it will be difficult, but we know what we have to do.”
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