A vastly improved performance from Montrose against title favourites Ross County at Dingwall on Saturday came so close to a deserved point, only for the home side’s Brian Graham to score a late winner to take the home side equal top of League One.

Montrose travelled North for their first League Fixture for 28 years the last being a 3 – 0 defeat on 19th December 1998 in a League three match looking to get their season back on track after the 5 – 0 home defeat by Hamilton Accies on the opening day.

Manager Stewart Petrie showed one change to his line up with Ryan Williamson being replaced by Blair Lyons and in a reshuffle of formation. Graham Webster moved back to right back with Lyons a more forward role in the 4 – 2 – 3 – 1 formation.

County had the opening chance when Smith got free on the right and a diving header from Jamie Lindsay went wide of the far post.

The home side were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position when Quinn fouled Docherty on the edge of the area the same player took the kick but could only curl his effort over the crossbar.

With 18 minutes gone Cammy Gill pulled off the first of number of good saves when he managed to block a shot from Graham after the striker touched, turned and fired in a great effort at the keeper. Gill then followed it up by blocking the rebound from Docherty.

Montrose had a great chance to open the scoring in the 21st minute when a diagonal ball from Lyons put Barjonas clear he did well to wrong foot the defender but could only fire straight at Foster.

The home side had a chance in the 27th minute when a cross from Docherty found Luke McCarvel but he could only head straight at Gill.

Lyons created the next Montrose opportunity in the 32nd minute when he fed Graham Webster but his left footed effort went wide of goal.

It was Ross County who opened the scoring in the 37th minute. Brian Graham’s header crashed off the underside of the bar and it was County left back LEWIS STRAPP who was on hand to lash the ball home from point blank range.

As the first half came to a close Montrose forced a corner which was cleared as far as Oliver who was fouled by Graham who was booked for the tackle,

Barjonas sent over a superb free kick which was met by the head of McGinty but somehow the ball was kept out on the line by the home defence and scrambled out for a corner.

Ross County failed to deal with the corner which landed at the feet of Quinn and as he prepared to shoot he was brought down by a home defender for a Montrose penalty.

With match in the third minute of stoppage time up stepped GARY OLIVER to calmly despatch the Montrose penalty for the equaliser.

Only sixty seconds had gone in the second half when County almost regained the lead, Smith rounded Gill but thankfully for Montrose McGinty was on hand to clear the ball off the Montrose goal line.

The home side kept up the pressure on Montrose and ten minutes into the half they had three attempts to get the ball into the net firstly Gill saved a net bound effort before another Lindsay effort was blocked and also his follow up shot as Montrose lived dangerously,

In the 52nd minute Jamie Lindsay was booked after he made sure Blair Lyons wasn’t getting any further up the touchline in a quick Montrose break.

On the hour mark Lyons got his foot on the end of a Webster cross but he was penalised for high feet.

Ross County made a double switch in the 65th minute when they brought on Chin and Forrester for McCarvel and Smith.

Two minutes later Jamie Barjonas picked up a yellow card when he pushed a County player.

In the 70th minute Montrose made a double change bringing on Jake Sutherland and Ryan Williamson for Euan Loudon and Gary Oliver.

At the same time County brought on Phillips and Randall for Lindsay and Turner.

Montrose forced a corner shortly afterwards with Lyons cross finding Freeman on the edge of the box but he could only fire wide.

Two minutes later Cammy Gill pulled off another wonderful stop when he pushed a first time effort from Strapp around the post.

From the corner kick Reid could only head straight at Gill.

With ten minutes remaining Cammy Gill kept Montrose in the match. A cross from Chin found captain Brian Graham but his header from point blank range was tipped wide by the Montrose number 1.

Kieran Freeman became the second Montrose player to be booked for a tackle on Randall.

Lewis Strapp then became the second County booking for another trip on Lyons as he threatened to break clear once again.

Montrose made two more substitutions with 8 minutes to play with Bertie and Craig replacing the injured Shaun Byrne and Lyons.

Despite all the valiant defending Ross County scored the winning goal in the 84th minute. A cross into the box found the head of BRIAN GRAHAM and he bulleted the ball into the back of the net.

Both sides then made their final switches with Ross Clark taking the place of Barjonas for Montrose. The home side sending on Lewis Jamieson for Adam Emslie.

As the match went into the latter stages the bookings continued home side substitute Forrester was booked for a foul before a flare up between Keir Bertie and fellow substitute Jamieson both booked.

In the 5th minute of stoppage time Montrose came so close to the equaliser. Keir Bertie won a corner kick which he took himself. The ball was flighted perfectly onto the head of Sean McGinty but his header crashed off the bar and over the top and the chance was gone.