Ross County saved alive its hopes of a sixth-placed place within the Premier League after a 1-1 draw with third-placed Hearts.
Alex Iakoviti put the hosts forward however Hearts rapidly received again into the sport with Barry Mackay.
The entertaining first half gave strategy to a battle of wills as legs started to tire.
Hearts missed a penalty and Staggis hit the online earlier than Iacoviti netted Craig Gordon’s first aim.
McKay, who had earlier missed the penalty kick, compensated by equalizing, earlier than the match light because the frantic tempo of the match started to have an effect on either side.
The company pressed ahead within the early phases at Dingwall and had a golden alternative to open the scoring with a penalty kick.
Conor Randall was sentenced to drop McKay contained in the penalty space, however when he got here ahead to attempt to convert the penalty himself it was saved by Ross Laidlow, who ran to his proper.
Staggies responded after about 10 minutes with a set piece, with Jack Baldwin conceding a Blair Spital nook kick, solely to see him come again off the put up.
Within the spell that adopted, Harry Button and Ross Kalashan had twice pictures into the aim on the final minute, however strain would have advised ultimately as Iakoviti gave County County the lead simply after the half-hour mark, resulting in Spital’s free kick from the appropriate.
It ought to have gone 2-0 a minute later, this time from open play, as Spital obtained the ball from Jordan White and Reagan Charles Prepare dinner picked proper up the again put up, just for the Grenada worldwide to hit the put up.
Alex Iakoviti (centre) celebrates his aim for Ross County on the World Power Stadium
It was a 10-minute whirlwind because the Staggies ought to have already scored greater than as soon as, however 5 minutes earlier than halftime, it was the Hearts who received the rating sheet.
Mackay made up for the missed penalty, capturing Boyce’s blocked shot and firing into the online from the slim angle with the assistance of a deflection.
5 minutes into the second half, County ought to have regained its lead, just for extra slams on the again from Hearts to maintain up the outcomes stage.
Craig Gordon was wanted to information Jordan Tilson’s efforts to the place, earlier than he someway managed to recuperate in time to stop Callachan from clicking whereas following him.
Because the second half dragged on, gamers on either side started visibly drained, which made it troublesome to maintain up with the fixed aim motion – and because of this, the motion light considerably right into a tie.
What did the managers say…
Hearts Boss Robbie Nelson He highlighted the qualities of Craig Gordon after the goalkeeper was instrumental in getting a degree.
Even at 39, Gordon continues to shine as reliably as ever in Tynecastle’s uniform, however Nelson believes Gordon’s affect extends into the offensive third in addition to alienating opposing groups.
“We have come to anticipate that from Craig,” Nelson defined.
“It is one of many causes we’re increasing considerably, as a result of we all know it should take a good effort to get via.
“We need to attempt to entertain, we would like them to get pleasure from it and we’ve got gamers right here who can do this.
“We began nicely, then we missed a penalty and Ross County got here into the sport.
“There was a 10-minute interval the place they put us beneath loads of strain after which we had been capable of get the aim again and it was the second half backwards and forwards.
“We had almost 2,000 followers and I believe we loved them.”
Ross County Chief Mackay’s house owners He echoed that sentiment, saying it is an incredible recreation to observe.
“I believe it will likely be an incredible match for neutrals in the present day,” he mentioned.
“It was two groups who actually did it, as you noticed from the alternatives created.
“We had been clearly enjoying towards the third greatest staff within the nation and we really held on firmly and took the match for them and, till the final minute, we had been making an attempt to win the match.
“We have had some nice probabilities and I am very happy with them and the place we have come from because the begin of the season.
“There was a disappointment to not win it, too typically. We had our likelihood within the second half from yards away. How Craig Gordon saved it I’ll by no means know.
“We additionally had two that got here off the put up, so I am actually pleased with the strides they’ve taken ahead this yr.”
What then?
Ross County travels to Aberdeen, whereas Hearts Hibs hosts the Edinburgh derby, with each Scottish Premiership video games kicking off at 3pm on 9 April.
