It was all County in the first half and they could have scored several times. ICT made more of a game in it in the second half but no-one could break the deadlock.

However, both teams could smile a little as leaders Dundee went down 3-0 to Airdrie at New Broomfield.

20th March 2010	Victoria Park, Dingwall
ROSS COUNTY	0 -
Team: McGovern, Miller, Morrison58, Scott, Boyd, Keddie, Gardyne (Di Giacamo 71), Lawson, Barrowman (Craig 89), Brittain, Vigurs (Wood 84) Subs: Malin, Kettlewell
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE	0 -
Team: Esson, Tokely52, Bulvitus (Eagle 46), Munro, Golabek71, Proctor, Cox, Odhiambo (Sanchez 82), Duncan04, Rooney, Hayes. Subs: Allison, Ross, Stratford
Referee	Mike Tumilty
Attendance	5928

A draw was a good result for both sides in Dingwall after Dundee's shock defeat at basement club Airdrie.

It was a close encounter with few clear cut chances for either side, and with other results working in our favour, apart from the Pars, both sides will be satisfied with a draw.

The first half was a very tight affair with little goalmouth action. It was County who nearly struck first after 20 minutes when ex Inverness striker Andy Barrowman put wide a decent chance from close range after a mistake in the Caley Thistle midfield. After that County dominated without creating a clear cut chance, although a free header went closer than Esson would have liked. He also palmed a vicious shot over as County pressed for the opener, while Inverness resorted to the long ball which failed miserably and made it a very poor half for the travelling spectators to watch. County keeper Michael McGovern didn't have to make save in a pretty poor first half.

HT 0-0

Bulvitis stayed in the dressing room at half time with Robert Eagle being introduced to the fray. The second half was a better affair with Inverness looking far more dangerous playing the ball on the ground. Half chances were being created until around 20 minutes to play when half time substitute Robert Eagle cannoned a shot off the post. The ball was played in from Jonny Hayes who found Eagle at the back post and his sweetly struck shot from a tight angle hit the base of the post with the rebound just evading Adam Rooney to the anguish of the travelling support. As the game drew to a close it was the home side who pressed more looking for what would surely be a winner, they almost got it. County piling players forward whipped in a brilliant cross only for Di Giacamo to blaze high into the jail end when it should have hit the target. Some great last ditch defending in front of the Jail Enders ensured that the game finished goalless. Overall it wasn't a great spectacle, it was a typical derby atmosphere and with the way other results went the draw will please both teams with the final part of the drama to be played on the 30th when County visit Inverness for the final derby of the season.

So, a point apiece was just about right, and with Dundee being humiliated by the Diamond's it wasn't such a bad day after all, and it was another good day at the office for Russelldinho as he showed the rest how a Derby Day should be handled despite an early booking.

 HT Report (courtesy of Radio Scotland)  (539.59 Kb)

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