This display was nothing to get excited about but we can probably be quite content with a decent result. Ross County were solid throughout with their experience players performing well and with our back line rarely troubled, this was as clear a 0-0 as you will ever see. However, claiming a point from the newly promoted side is not a bad result on the opening day and we can now turn our full attention to Athens.
Stuart McCall resisted the urge to make wholescale rotations to the team though Omar Daley's impressive showings against Hamilton and Panathinaikos brought him in to start. He did well enough without being brilliant but there was no stand out attacker from our side.
Pretty in pink?
We made the better start with 600 'Well fans backing the side in the Highland sunshine but couldn't make any clear chances. Humphrey and Murphy had shots from distance and when we did manage a sight of goal, Fraser saved from Higdon. Ross County eventually settled and came into things with a shot from Lawson and a header from Munro but it soon became clear the main threat from the hosts would be posed from set pieces.
Indeed, after the break we had cause for concern as we had to defend a number of corners and free kicks but Randolph was dominant and we held out. A dangerous cross from Humphrey which was well held was his final contribution before making way for Ojamaa but the little Estonian could not provide the breakthrough. Daley's weak shot, after a nice pass from Murphy, was the last hope for a goal and both sides were content to settle for a point.
A close call
In itself this was a decent point and we can now travel to Athens looking for a miracle. The concern is despite having Humphrey, Daley, Murphy, Law, Higdon and Ojamaa on the pitch at various times we never looked like scoring against a team which, despite their hard work and organisation, will surely finish in the bottom six. It's a good job Stuart McCall has a long bus journey home to think things over!