Graham Carey struck an 88th-minute winner as Ross County secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over St Johnstone at Victoria Park today.

Both teams looked set for a share of the spoils with just two minutes of normal time remaining, only for Carey to pounce and secure the points for the hosts.

Some 20 minutes elapsed before the game saw its first goalscoring opportunity. Two of County's January recruits, Evangelos Ikonomou and Jordan Slew, combined to good effect, with the latter heading the Greek's inch-perfect cross narrowly past the post.

The duo continued to be influential throughout the opening half albeit at opposite ends of the field, with Slew - on loan from Blackburn Rovers - forcing a smart save from Saints goalkeeper Alan Mannus, before Ikonomou threw himself in front of Stevie May's goalbound effort.

The clash seemed poised to settle all square, but Carey was on hand to tap into an empty net with just minutes remaining.

Melvin De Leeuw pounced on some slack defending by Frazer Wright before squaring the ball to the former St Mirren midfielder, who tapped home to secure the points.