Quinn stunner ends Dons' run
Ross County picked up their third home victory of the season thanks to a wonder goal from Rocco Quinn which ended Aberdeen's six-match unbeaten run in a 1-0 triumph.
There was not much to pick between the teams but Quinn notched the winner seven minutes into the second half when the midfielder found the back of the net with a stunning strike.
The victory lifted Ross on to 10 points, four points behind fourth-placed Aberdeen.
Dons' defender Andy Considine became the first player in referee Crawford Allan's book when he scythed down Richard Brittain in the middle of the park inside the opening three minutes.
Brittain floated a free-kick into the danger area but the ball ran harmlessly out for a goal-kick.
The tackles were flying in as each side tried to gain the upper hand but the referee kept his cards in his pocket.
The visitors created the first half-chance in the 10th minute when Niall McGinn cut the ball back for Johnny Hayes but his shot was charged down in front of goal.
In Aberdeen's next attack Peter Pawlett left County defender Brian MacLean for dead as he charged into the danger area but Quinn got in a vital challenge to concede a corner.
County were almost in on goal in the 16th minute when Steven Ross slipped the ball through to Melvin De Leeuw but he could not get a direct shot on goal as the ball deflected behind for a corner.
The home side were coming more into it and Quinn should have done better after a smart move involving De Leeuw, Ross and Brittain across the 18-yard-box set him up with a chance, but the midfielder blasted his effort high and wide.
At the other end McGinn wriggled his way into a shooting posting but his final effort flew well wide of Mark Brown's right-hand post.
There was a delay in play for seven minutes after referee Crawford Allan pulled up with a hamstring injury and fourth official David Somers took over in the middle.
County had another chance to take the lead in the 43rd minute when Ross made a surging run through the heart of the Dons defence. The young forward laid the ball off for Quinn on the edge of the area but he flashed his effort wide of the near post.
County had a great chance to take the lead in the 51st minute when Graham Carey swung over a deep cross from the left but Ross just failed to connect at the back post.
The home side did go ahead in spectacular style a minute later, though. De Leeuw, who had looked County's most impressive player in the middle of the park, spread the ball out to Quinn, who took a touch and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
The Dons tried to respond and after good work from Pawlett on the right his cut back was met by Scott Vernon whose downward header was not powerful enough to beat Brown.
Play was starting to open up and a cross-field ball from De Leeuw found Carey in space but his first-time shot was smothered by Jamie Langfield at his near post.
County were looking to finish Aberdeen off and they nearly did in the 76th minute when substitute Kevin Luckassen got the slightest of nicks on a Carey cross but his header went wide of the far post.
But despite a late bombardment on the County goal by the visitors the home side held out for all three points.
Source: PA
