Ross County 0-1 Queen’s Park: Stuart Kettlewell blasts players as defeat sends Staggies back to the bottom of the Championship

Stuart Kettlewell blasted his Ross County team after a 1-0 home defeat against Queen’s Park returned them to the foot of the Championship.

Matthew Shiels’ headed goal in first half stoppage-time earned the visitors a precious win which took them into eighth position in an opposite result to the on County had against Queen’s in Glasgow 11 days ago.

And, despite throwing on attacking subs, Kettlewell’s team could not find a way to break down their well-drilled opponents.

With Airdrie losing 1-0 to leaders St Johnstone 1-0 on Friday night, Queen’s Park are now one point clear of the Diamonds, with two games in hand.

County, who are away to fourth-placed Ayr United next Saturday, are one point behind Airdie, with one game fewer played.

‘Queen’s Park deserved to win’ – boss

Manager Kettlewell had no complaints about the result and questioned whether there was enough hunger from his players to get back into the contest to at least take a point.

When asked afterwards whether frustration summed up his feelings, he said: “Frustrating is an understatement. We didn’t get close at any stage of the game.

“Everyone enjoys the win down there 10 days ago, and we genuinely didn’t get close to what we were trying to be at any point in the game.

“Full responsibility for that lies with myself. I’ve said to the players that when we see a lack of spirit or desire to get back into the game, Queen’s Park were far and away the better team and deserved to win the game.

“There’s no point beating about the bush. We understand the size of the task we’ve taken on, and we have a chance if we’re at a level, but if we’re playing the way we did (in the 2-1 loss) against Morton and again today that because really difficult.”

“I don’t think we had any more forward players to throw at the game.

“We started with three strikers, and by the end we have three wide players on the pitch and two strikers.

“We were trying to throw caution to the wind, but for me we were far too direct at times.

“Sometimes players clip it into an area instead of trying to control the game, and I think that’s a fear.

“You can go to that at times, but we were 39 minutes into the game before I saw anything that we had worked on.

“Execution is the most important part, and it took us 39 minutes – and we were flagged for the ball going out of the pitch. That was the only thing I can remember in the entire game, and it didn’t result in a shot or a cross.

“That’s embarrassing for me and the team, and everyone needs to stomach that.”

Carbon gets the nod for his first start

Less than two weeks after winning 1-0 against the Spiders at the City Stadium, County were chasing a fourth win from five league games.

Queen’s went into this pressure match on the back of an 8-0 Scottish Cup drubbing at the hands of Rangers at Ibrox.

Ugandan international Uche Ikepeazu, recently signed from St Johnstone, was the debutant match-winning substitute for Ross County in the last clash and he again began the day on the bench.

There was a first start for striker Jayden Carbon, who is on loan from Middlesbrough. He impressed when he came on as a sub in the recent meeting in Glasgow.

Spiders bite County just before break

Queen’s were on the front foot in the opening exchanges, with recent signing from Arbroath, ex-Inverness striker Nikolay Todorov needing to be carefully watched.

The first County chance of note came from a flighted free-kick sent into the box by Jamie Lindsay and Jordan White’s header was held by goalkeeper Calum Ferrie.

Home keeper Trevor Carson kept the scores blank on 20 minutes when he parried away a fierce net-bound drive from right-back Carlo Pignatiello after the defence failed to clear up the danger of a previous attack.

Play was decent all round to a certain point, but both teams were guilty of loose passing when it seemed a chance of a promising attack was on.

Queen’s sounded another warning five minutes before half-time when Callum Smith headed a chance over the crossbar as he seemed to lose balance when he met a cross from Seb Drozd, who created the opening thanks to clever footwork.

However, in first half stoppage time, the visitors took the lead when, all stemming from a free-kick not mopped up, Aidan Connolly’s cross was headed home at close range by Shiels.

Queen’s stand up to County changes

Kettlewell made a couple of changes at the break, with left-back Len O’Sullivan replaced by Sean Mackie and Miller Thomson coming on for Kieran Phillips to operate on the right flank.

And just before the hour mark, Ikpeazu and Jay Henderson was introduced in place of defender Alex Iacovitti and Carbon to put the emphasis on attack.

And a couple of set-pieces from Henderson had to be cleared soon after this, but Queen’s were soon regaining more possession of their own.

With 16 minutes to go, Henderson crashed a low long-range drive off target. It seemed destined not to be the hosts’ day.

Queen’s Park were standing up to challenge and time was running out.

Sub Michael Ruth almost capped the victory for Sean Crighton’s men, but was just off the mark with a low shot.

County were a fraction away from earning a point when Dylan Smith powered a Mackie corner goalwards, but it flashed past via the base of the left post.

That was as close as it came for County as Kettlewell suffered only his second league loss.

Ross County v Queen’s Park ratings

ROSS COUNTY (3-4-2-1): Carson 6, Smith 7, Levis 6, Iacovitti 6 (Ikpeazu 58), Randall 6, Docherty 7, Lindsay 6 (Scott 75), O’Sullivan 5 (Mackie 46), Phillips 5 (Thomson 46), Carbon 6 (Henderson 58), White 6.

Subs not used: Foster (GK), Kamara, Duncan, Gallagher.

QUEEN’S PARK (4-2-3-1): Ferrie 6, Pignatiello 6, Shiels 6, MacKenzie 6, Fieldson 6, MacGregor 6, Longridge 6, Connolly 7 (McLeish 90), Drozd 6 (Ruth 78), Smith 7 (Savoury 67), Todorov 6.

Subs not used: Sliwinski (GK), Waugh, McDonnell, Bradley, McLean.

Referee: Sean Murdoch.

Attendance: 2,897.

Man of the match: Ross Docherty.

[Source: Press and Journal]