In a game billed as a six pointer, both teams had to settle for a point in their respective fight to get away from the foot of the cinch Premiership table.
On a miserable afternoon for the players and 4500 fans, Stuart McKinstry’s goal midway through the second half raised hopes of ‘Well collecting a long overdue three points.
However, Jordy Hiwula Mayifuila’s equaliser eight minutes form time earned the Highlanders a point they probably deserved.
The Fir Park fans remained faithful and optimistic with a resounding applause to encourage the Steelmen as they lined up for the kick-off in the face of a heavy rain and wind.
By the full-time whistle, the weather and an arduous 90 minutes had produced only a miserable stalemate as ‘Well’s dismal run of home games without a win extended to eight games.
Although the dreadful conditions played a part, despite the introduction of new recruits, the Steelmen were restricted to a handful of chances as County bravely fought to avoid defeat.
Steven Hammell made three changes to his starting line-up for this crucial bottom of the table clash. After coming off the substitutes bench last Sunday, both Max Johnston and Stuart McKinstry retained their places from the start.
Midweek loan signing from Stockport Olly Crankshaw, made his debut on the right side of Kevin van Veen, while the club’s latest signing, Mikael Mandron had to be content with delaying his debut until the second half.
McKinstry started where he left off last week. After 10 minutes the Leeds on-loan teenager cut in from the left before firing a right foot shot across Ross Laidlaw’s goal only to rebound from the ‘keeper’s left hand post.
As the wind playing havoc with the flight of the ball both McKinstry and County’s Owura Edwards were eager to fire crosses into the box and test both sets of defenders.
In the 17th minutes McKinstry decided to take the direct route and after working the ball onto his left foot, his rising drive from a tight angle was turned over the bar by Laidlaw.
A tussle between Sean Goss and Ross Callachan earned both a yellow card as the game became punctuated by clumsy challenges.
VAR was called into action after 22 minutes. Ricki Lamie’s header back towards his own goal was held up in the wind. As Kelly raced from his goal Edwards nicked the ball from the ‘keeper before tumbling inside the box. As County claimed a penalty the referee’s decision to award a goal kick was upheld.
Kelly then had a routine first save when he comfortably gathered a low shot from former ‘Well striker Jordan White.
With Paul McGinn covering for the overlapping Johnston, the ‘Well teenager fired over a cross which McKinstry could only nod over the crossbar.
An over enthusiastic challenge on George Harmon earned Crankshaw a yellow card on his debut.
A minute from half time the tall winger almost set up ‘Well’s opener. Nodding on Matt Perry’s long ball it found Johnston racing towards the County box. Unmarked he set himself up before hammering a left foot shot which was heading under the bar until Laidlaw pushed it over this cross bar to leave the sides level at the end of first half spoiled by the weather.
If there was any advantage from the wind and rain, the Fir Park men had it at their backs for the second forty-five.
It was the home goal, though, that had a couple of early escapes as White glanced a header inches wide before Yan Dhanda had an effort blocked on the line by Kelly.
At the other end, Johnston always keen to get down the right flank, curled another tempting cross into the box which County only partially cleared before conceding a corner.
An inswinger from Goss, assisted by the wind, curled low towards a packed six-yard box where McGinn stooped only to nod ball over the bar.
Penny then worked a quick exchange with McKinstry before rifling the ball into the side netting.
Malky Mackay’s men still remained threatening on the break and in the 62nd minute Dhanda was again denied the opening goal when his dipping shot from 20 yards was soundly beaten away by Kelly.
Two minutes later Ross Tierney replaced Goss and within minutes there was an outburst of relief in the Fir Park stands as ‘Well opened the scoring.
Once again McKinstry demonstrated his eye for a goal when form around 20 yards he fired a low shot towards Laidlaw’s right-hand corner. And although the ‘keeper got his right hand to the ball he couldn’t prevent it trundling over his line for the opener.
That injected much needed confidence in the home ranks as they started to pepper the visitor’s goal with crosses.
With just over quarter of an hour left Hammell injected new life into the side bringing on Barry Maguire and the towering French striker Mandron.
The County boss also rang the changes and with ten minutes remaining the Highlander’s grabbed an equaliser.
Substitute Mayifuila had barely been on the pitch when he raced through unchallenged to poke the ball through Kelly’s legs to set up a nervous finish.
Two minutes later ‘Well had strong appeals for a penalty turned away when Edwards’ outstretched arm send Penny tumbling inside the box.
Despite a couple of moments of danger in either box in the closing minutes, the sides had to settle for a point apiece
