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Ross County manager Jim McIntyre hails 1-0 win over Partick

27/09/14 SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP.ROSS COUNTY v DUNDEE.DINGWALL - DUNDEE.Ross County manager Jim McIntyre during his side's 2-1 victory over Dundee
Image: Jim McIntyre: Feet on the ground

Ross County manager Jim McIntyre believes the hard-fought 1-0 win over Partick Thistle could prove to be the turning point in their struggle to avoid relegation.

A fourth consecutive win ensured rejuvenated County closed the gap on Partick in ninth place, as well as opening up some daylight over St Mirren who are now at the bottom; Motherwell drew with Kilmarnock to move one point clear of the Buddies.

McIntyre said: "The one thing we tried to keep instilling in the players was belief. We did think there was a group there capable of winning matches.

"Four in a row is really fantastic, we're pleased with that, but it is back to the grind on Monday. We've a tough game at Hamilton now.

"Partick going 10 points ahead of us today would have been a big ask for us, but we've managed to gain another three today and there's only four points between the teams now.

"You have to give them credit. They're down to 10 men and are putting us under enormous pressure, we were trying to get that second goal to kill the game off and couldn't quite manage it, so we had to show real bravery and courage.

"It wasn't a pretty game, you've got to say. I don't think it was ever going to be with the underfoot conditions and also the wind. We're delighted with the response of the players. We had to dig in, we had to scrap and we showed another side to us today."

Partick Thistle manager Alan Archibald felt his side deserved more, saying: "There wasn't a lot in it. If anything, we were probably shading it when they got the goal.

"We knew the first goal would be pivotal and we missed our chance in the first half and they took theirs. The sending off hampered us in the second half but it was great character from the lads as we kept on going right until the end, and were unlucky not to get a goal.

"It was reckless challenge from Kallum, sometimes it's a yellow card and sometimes it's a red, so no complaints. I thought we deserved something out of the game."

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