Elgin City were very unlucky to come away with nothing from their Alba Challenge Cup 1st Round tie against Ross County on a very mild day at Borough Briggs.

It was County that started the game strongest, Mark Corcoran creating space for himself after only 6 minutes and forcing a good save from Steven Dunn, and Dunn was needed again to save from the resultant corner, with Scott Boyd's powerful header palmed away. Corcoran was looking dangerous and he played a good ball through to Paul di Giacomo ten minutes later, but Dunn held his ground well and made a brilliant diving save to deny the ex-Killie man.

It was then the turn of Elgin to create chances after Ross County's early dominance, with Craig Gunn firing just wide after a great pass from Craig Frizzel. Gunn showed some great pace to beat the defence and probably should have found the back of the net, but it was encouraging signs for the City fans, and minutes after Gunn had missed a great chance Mark Nicolson picked up the ball in his own half, before going on a long mazy run, beating most of the opposition before firing what was in the end a pretty weak shot. It was a great run from Nicolson who had already been playing well so far.

The second half saw a change for Elgin, with Paul Miller coming on for Neil McDonald, and it almost looked to be an inspired substitution as he used all his aerial ability to get on the end of a cross but the header was hit straight at the keeper. Miller then found himself with the ball at his feet and the goal at his mercy, but he rushed the shot and it was just wide of the post.

After Elgin's dominance at the start of the second half, it was a real sucker punch for the Black and Whites when Martin Scott was able to bundle the ball home after 55 minutes with an easy header from point blank range. It was a real setback for Elgin and as heads dropped, County got another goal 8 minutes later when Paul Lawson hit a sublime half volley from the edge of the area which flew into the top corner.

Frustration started to creep in from both the fans and players, with Elgin picking up a couple of bookings from what looked like fair challenges, but the game was not beyond them. Craig Gunn, who is becoming something of a talisman for the Elgin faithful, took the ball on one of his runs and turned the defence inside out, before picking out the corner with a brilliant finish.

Despite having the lions share of the possession, Elgin just could not find the back of the net despite their best efforts, Paul Miller even having the ball in the back of the net but he was adjudged to have been offside, despite clearly being played on by the County defence. It was a nervy few minutes at the end of the game but Ross County were able to hold onto a win, but manager Derek Adams will no doubt be reading the riot act after his team were close to being humbled by wee Elgin.

Elgin City: - Dunn, Niven, Dempsie, Kaczan, McDonald (Miller 45), Inglis (Edwards 75), Gunn, O'Donoghue, Crooks, Nicolson, Frizzel (Cameron 68). Unused subs – McLeod, Robertson

Ross County: - McGovern, Miller, Morrison, Lawson (Smith 85), Boyd, McCormack, Vigurs, Scott, Di Giacomo (Wood 66), Brittain, Corcoran (Barrowman 54). Unused subs – Gregersen, Malin

Referee: - Neil Waters