Noah Chilvers gets a birthday goal as Ross County sink Dundee

Birthday boy Noah Chilvers gave himself the ideal present with a goal in Ross County 3-1 victory over Dundee, which moves the Highlanders five points clear of the relegation zone.

Former Staggies striker Simon Murray put the visitors in front after three minutes before Kieran Phillips levelled in a frantic start to the first half.

But a second-half blitz in the first three minutes brought goals from Akil Wright and Chilvers which put the hosts 3-1 up.

Don Cowie named an unchanged line-up to the team which impressively defeated Motherwell 3-0 at Fir Park last weekend.

Dundee went into the game against Dingwall having failed to find victory in their last five league matches having conceded 18 goals. However, that run of results did include draws against Celtic and Rangers.

They made three changes to the team that lost to Aberdeen last weekend. Ryan Astley, Finlay Robertson, and Seb Palmer-Houlden came in, with Mo Sylla, Aaron Donnelly and Scott Tiffoney dropping to the bench.

County made the brighter start and came close to opening the scoring after three minutes when Ronan Hale set up George Harmon, whose low drive was well saved by Jon McCracken.

Dundee broke the deadlock after four minutes when Simon Murray fired a spectacular effort from the left wing from 20 yards out which sailed straight into top right corner, giving goalkeeper Jordan Amissah no chance.

County pushed forward for an equaliser and Connor Randall fired a low drive from 20 yards which McCracken diverted around the post for a corner.

The hosts’ perseverance was rewarded in the 18th minute when a cross from the right wing found Hale and he put the ball into the box to find Phillips unchallenged in the six-yard box to tap home.

It was Phillips’ first goal for the club, since arriving from Huddersfield on a two-and-a-half year deal in January.

County started the second half strongly when Chilvers saw his shot saved and Hale’s effort from the rebound hit the post before it was cleared for a corner.

But the resultant flag kick from George Harmon found Wright, who fired a spectacular bicycle kick into the net from six yards to restore the hosts’ advantage.

A minute later it was 3-1 when Phillips sent a ball into the box to find Chilvers, who fired home from eight yards on his 24th birthday.

Midway through the second half, Sylla tripped Chilvers on the edge of the box but Harmon’s curling free-kick was parried away by McCracken.

Dundee rarely threatened in the remainder of the game and County comfortably held on for all three points.