There are various permutations involving teams dropping points in the next week that would see us safe - including Kilmarnock failing to win tomorrow - but let's do it ourselves. If we can't see it home from here then we don't deserve to stay up! It would be nice for Hearts to do us a favour tomorrow - or for a nice result when Hibs go to County on Tuesday the day before we head to Rugby Park - but let's focus on ourselves. We're three points clear in seventh - SEVENTH! - with two games left. An incredible turnaround and a position the other teams in the bottom six would love to be in.
It wasn't a classic game, but we deserved the win. We were on top for much of the first half and after surviving some scares in the second were really pushing for the winner. It arrived in some style, Gregg Wylde scoring an absolute screamer from miles out that looked in as soon as it left his foot. It moves us onto 38 points and that might, just might, be enough.
There were pre-match rumours we'd be without a key player, possibly Steven Thompson, due to an injury scare. However, when the teams were revealed it was the same as it's been for the last month or so - Thompson and all. That meant Christopher Dilo continued in goal and Jim Goodwin was able to carry out his Derek Adams' annoying duties from midfield. Jordan Slew was up front for County with Melvin de Leeuw and there was plenty of goal threat in midfield too thanks to the presence of Filip Kiss and ex Buddies Graham Carey and Richard Brittain.
Kenny McLean looked to be in sparkling form once again and almost opened the scoring early on with a great free-kick that Mark Brown tipped behind for a corner. It was a game lacking in quality and excitement but a fine knock down from Thompson almost created the opener, McLean thumping it towards goal only for Brown to grab it at the second attempt despite the best intentions of John McGinn. Other players were allowed to have a shot too, although Brown dealt with Paul McGowan's volley from Sean Kelly's cross fairly easily.
Things livened up a bit when Derek Adams threw his first real hissy fit of the afternoon. Darren McGregor came over to the byline to try to cut out a through ball and missed, meaning Jordan Slew was scurrying after it. As McGregor ran after him, the man on loan from Blackburn hit the deck. It looked as if he fell over without any help, but Adams and the striker were furious no foul had been given. They were still complaining when Melvin De Leeuw's shot took a wicked deflection and flew wide moments later. They'd calmed down by the time Brittain sent one a few yards wide. We were struggling to cope but did have some respite when McGowan got himself into a half decent position, however is lob/chip was poor and sailed well over - an effort that pretty much summed up the half.
The chances of Carey hurting us evaporated when he was hooked at the break and it was left to fellow former Buddie Brittain to help us out when he effectively rugby tackled McGinn to give us a free-kick. McLean's cross was decent but Thompson was always going to struggle to get his header on target and it went wide. A bit of a County onslaught followed, with Brittain's terrific free-kick hitting the join of the post and the bar before Alex Cooper, who'd replaced Carey, sclaffed a shot wide from a great position and then shot straight at Christopher Dilo. Not the most composed finishing you'll ever see!
We were struggling but almost took the lead when a bit of pinball in and around the box allowed the ball to sit up nicely for Conor Newton, but Brown was equal to his shot and kept it out. At least it was something encouraging after a worrying few minutes and got our fans cheering again. Some fresh blood arrived in the shape of Josh Magennis and Gregg Wylde, who came on for McGowan and McGinn, but it was County's sub who was having the biggest impact as Dilo saved from Cooper before McGregor and McAusland got him with a crunching tackle. He stayed down and the fans weren't happy when we put the ball out 20 seconds later, especially as he didn't appear to be too hurt.
Cooper had been causing us problems but one of our replacements began to do the same with them, Magennis producing a great cross that Thompson was unable to steer near goal. Next time it was Jim Goodwin's turn to deliver a cross but it met with the same outcome, although at least Thompson was getting closer! Then he did hit the target but Brown barely had to move to catch his effort from Wylde's cross. A few minutes later we were in front - but it wasn't Thompson. Instead, when the visitors failed to clear their lines at a corner, Wylde gathered up the ball and sent it arrowing into the top corner from about 30 yards out. It was one of those you knew was in as soon as he hit it and it was a terrific strike.
McLean, perhaps annoyed at having the limelight taken from him, then decide to try to put the bed himself. First he shot narrowly wide, then he sent a terrific dipping effort crashing off the post before finishing his efforts by being denied by Brown. County decided to put Rocco Quinn on - the man who scored twice in a minute in that ridiculous 5-4 game last season. It almost had the desired effect when he hit the bar, while Erik Cikos also went close to getting an equaliser. Thankfully we managed to see out stoppage time, with Jim Goodwin marshalling the troops superbly, and only a ridiculous combination of results would now see us 11th.
But this is St Mirren we're talking about...
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