Ross Co 1 – 2 Hearts

Hearts moved again into the highest half of the cinch Premiership as they got here from behind to finish their winless run of 4 league matches with a 2-1 victory over Ross County in Dingwall.

Andy Halliday scored the winner in a frantic first half so as to add to Lawrence Shankland’s equaliser after Jordan White had given Ross County the lead.

It was Hearts’ first victory within the Premiership since beating Motherwell on September 18 and moved them as much as sixth within the league.

The Staggies at the moment are on the foot of the Premiership on objective distinction after solely scoring seven targets thus far this season.

Ross County made one change to the workforce that misplaced at Kilmarnock the earlier weekend as Yan Dhanda changed the injured Ross Callachan.

Hearts introduced in Connor Smith and Robert Snodgrass for Stephen Kingsley and Jorge Grant after their win over RFS within the Europa Conference League on Thursday night time.

The Staggies began off confidently and thought they’d taken the lead after 5 minutes when Jordy Hiwula discovered the online from shut vary.

But the assistant referee dominated he was offside and the primary VAR test in Dingwall agreed with the official’s resolution.

But the Staggies took the lead within the eleventh minute when Dhanda’s cross from the precise wing caught the Hearts defence unaware.

White then pounced from shut vary to fireplace into the online to place Ross County in entrance.

The lead lasted solely 4 minutes after Shankland was allowed to cost in direction of the sting of the field, though he noticed his first shot blocked by Staggies goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw.

But the ball got here rolling again to the striker who fired dwelling the rebound to equalise.

Hearts then took the lead 5 minutes later when Snodgrass’ nook discovered Halliday, who beat County’s defence to nod a terrific header from 12 yards out into the highest-left nook.

Ross County threatened to equalise earlier than half-time with Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon compelled to drag off an excellent save from White and Jordan Tillson nodded a header large of the left put up.

The Staggies continued their seek for a leveller within the second half, with Callum Johnson beating the Hearts defence on the sting of the six-yard field, however he nodded Jack Baldwin’s cross from the left wing over the bar.

But Hearts have been hardly ever threatened within the last half-hour as they comfortably held on for all three factors.

Neilson: Third place is the place we wish to be

Hearts supervisor Robbie Neilson:

“It is always hard up here,” stated (*2*)They are very robust defensively and there may be good vitality within the center and a energy that makes issues troublesome for us.

“We are really pleased to get the three points and it moves us up the league a wee bit, closer to where we want to be.”

He added: “[Third place] is where we want to be and we have another game next week and depending on what happens at Pittodrie on Friday night we could potentially have the chance to move back into third.

“Aberdeen and Hibs are good groups this yr. Good groups, good managers. But our goal is to get third place within the league. We need European soccer and if we would like that then we’ve to steadiness that with enjoying in Europe on a Thursday night time.”

Mackay: This group is coming together

Ross County manager Malky Mackay:

“I requested for us at half-time to return out and go once more as a result of over the piece within the first half we did,” said Mackay.

“Second half I am unable to ask for extra as a result of to dominate the ball and have as many pictures in opposition to an excellent workforce, the one factor I can ask for is discovering the online.

“We are playing against one of the top teams in the league, to dominate and have Hearts penned in shows me we have a group that are getting it and coming together.

“We simply have to put factors on the board, however we’re nearly as good as 5 groups within the league.”