Ross County Database

DateTuesday, 10 April 2001
CompetitionScottish League Division 1
Fixture/ScoreAirdrieonians 2:2 Ross County
VenueExcelsior Stadium
Attendance1,211
RefereeJohn Rowbotham
CommentsMatch Report
Report from the Press & Journal.
Airdrieonians 2 Ross County 2
Ross County substitute Steve Ferguson grabbed a late equaliser as both clubs pulled clearer of the relegation zone.
Ferguson struck with only two minutes remaining when he side-footed home a Karim Boukraa cross to stun the Diamonds fans and trigger jubilation on the County bench.
After last week's seven-goal thriller between the sides it looked as though there could be a touch of deja-vu as both sides grabbed early goals.
Airdrie were first up when Paul Armstrong sent a pinpoint pass into the path of Scott Bannerman, who showed great footwork to get away from the defence and drill the ball home from the edge of the area after only two minutes.
Five minutes later former Airdrie player Martin Prest was upended in the box by Craig McPherson for a clear Ross County penalty, which was perfectly dispatched by Alex Bone as he sent keeper Ramiro Gonzalez the wrong way.
The home side edged in front in 31 minutes. Coyle picked up the ball from Derek McWilliams' pass and smashed a fine shot home to grab his fifth goal in four games.
County's Mark McCormack shot just wide in 65th minute and nine minutes late Gonzalez kept out Bone's shot.
Airdrie substitute Robert Dunn missed a glorious chance with only four minutes remaining.
The stage was then set for a Ross County hero and Ferguson duly obliged.
Ross County
ManagerNeale Cooper
Starting 111: Garry Hamilton, 2: Hugh Robertson, 3: Mark Perry, 4: Ian Maxwell, 5: Edward Cunnington 1, 6: Brian Irvine, 7: John Fraser, 8: John McQuade, 9: Karim Boukraa, 10: Martin Prest, 11: Alexander Bone 1 (1 pen)
Bench0: Stefan Gonet, 0: David MacKay, 0: Steven Ferguson 1, 0: Mark McCormick, 0: Derek Holmes
Airdrieonians
ManagerDon Mackay
Starting 11Ramiro Gonzalez, Sean Sweeney, Lee Gardner, Fraser Wishart, Stuart Taylor, Paul Armstrong, Craig McPherson, Derek McWilliams, Ian Cameron, Scott Bannerman 1, Owen Coyle 1
BenchStephen Wilson, Eddie May, Joe McAlpine, Scott Boyce, Robert Dunn