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Ross County's under-18 side were unfortunate not to return home with all three points when they fought back from two goals down in an excellent second half performance.
The team showed a number of changes from the previous week. Several players are on the injured list, and this gave a chance to play younger players like Darren Jack and fifteen year old George Keldie from Orkney. Both of these lads can be happy with their performance in their first game at this level.
Windy conditions led to a scrappy first half. County faced the wind and found themselves having to contain a lively Albion side in which both strikers Diack and Harty had first team experience.
It was Harty who gave Rovers the lead after half an hour when he latched on to a dummy from a team mate and slipped the ball past the keeper.
County created a couple of half chances which were blocked, but were having difficulty getting the ball down in order to make good passes and keep possession.
The changes which were made to County's line up at half time and early in the second half transformed the team.
Steven Mackay was switched from left midfield to partner Martin Kenny as a striker, with substitute Lee Williams coming on at left wingback. Don Cowie came on in midfield to give County composure and to get their passing game going.
These changes seemed to have the desired effect as County started the second half impressively, but after five minutes, against the run of play, Rovers went two up when a far post header was deflected past his own keeper by a County defender.
County took this setback in their stride and continued to impress, with their front two showing good movement. Martin Kenny came close when he had a shot blocked, but in the sixtieth minute County got themselves right back in the game with a brilliant goal from Steven Mackay.
Collecting a throw in on the right outside the Albion box, he turned, cut infield between two defenders and hit a great left foot shot into the top corner to leave the keeper helpless.
Five minutes later Mackay again showed his class when he produced a brilliant turn and through ball for Bryan Dlugonski to run onto but he unfortunately was unable get his shot on target.
Meantime Martin Canning was a tower of strength at the back and he did well to block an effort from Rover's Diack.
Keeper Gonet's impressive handling was in evidence when he confidently held a high ball under pressure.
County continued to look impressive when attacking and Jack fired one just over the bar. County's long throw-ins were giving Rovers problems and when Canning headed one on there was nobody at the back post to take advantage.
With thirteen minutes to go, County deservedly drew level when a well flighted free kick by Cowie was headed in by striker Kenny.
County went looking for the winner and Mackay had efforts just past the post and over the bar as County continued to look lively up front.
In the end County had to reluctantly settle for a point but they can be really pleased at how they played as a team especially in the second half.
There were some very good individual performances, with Steven Mackay and Martin Canning looking the best players on the park. Mackay was really impressive especially when he was given an attacking role - his touch and movement were superb, as was his ability to link with other players - the goal he scored had class written all over it.
Canning was outstanding at the back and composed in everything that he did - he always looked in command.
Both of these lads featured in the first team squad earlier this season - hopefully their chance will come again soon.
Ross County: Stefan Gonet; Sam MacLaughlin, Martin Canning, Steven Edwards, Martin MacBeath, Martin Sanderson, Darren Jack, Bryan Dlugonski, Steven Mackay, Martin Kenny and George Keldie. Subs (all used): Lee Williams, Don Cowie and Trialist.
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Stefan Gonet was the star for County U-18s as they had to fight hard for a share of the points at Cliftonville.
The tall 'keeper was outstanding as County faced the wind in the first half and were put under a lot of pressure by Albion.
County started the game well and took the lead in ten minutes when a long pass from Alan Lees found Steven McKay breaking from midfield and he showed good composure in beating the 'keeper.
However, after this, Albion Rovers dominated and had several chances to build up a commanding lead, but they were denied by the heroics of Gonet.
Just as it seemed that County would survive until half time, a piece of poor defending let Rovers in for a deserved equaliser.
Half time saw County make some tactical changes. Bryan Dlugonski replaced Sam McLaughlin and with the wind at their backs they made a better impression in the second half.
Play was much more even and playing three up front gave County more attacking options this half.
However, they were dealt a blow when the referee saw a challenge in the County box as a foul and awarded a penalty kick which was converted.
To their credit County fought back and equalised. Alan Lees latched on to a cross from Martin Kenny and the youngster fnished well.
County, hoping to finish in a high position in this league, will be disappointed at dropping two points. They were not at their bet in the first half but improved enough in the second to just about merit the draw against a side containing players with league experience.
Ross County: Stefan Gonet; Sam McLaughlin, Lee Williams, Alan Lees, Steven Edwards, Gary Ewing, Ryan Witkowski, Martin Kenny, Ryan Rutherford, Brian McLeod and Steven McKay. Subs Used: Bryan Dlugonski and Don Cowie.
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County's Under- 18 side are steadily getting through their backlog of fixtures, and even with a much changed team they proved too strong for Albion Rovers.
Conditions were very wet underfoot and overhead yet there was some good football played. County were in charge for much of the first half with midfielder Don Cowie instrumental in many of their moves.
The goals that threatened to come in the first half duly arrived after the break.
The first goal came when some good work on the right resulted in Martin Kenny setting up Martin Sanderson to score. However shortly afterwards, some casual defending from County allowed Rovers to hit back and make the score 1-1.
After several close things County went ahead again when County's Trialist did the groundwork for Ryan Rutherford to make it 2-1. Near the end, Rutherford got his second to seal a convincing 3-1 win for County, and to keep them fourth in the league.
Ross County: Stefan Gonet, Ryan Witkowski, Gary Ewing, Martin Sanderson, Sam MacLaughlan, Alex Lamb, Don Cowie, Craig Campbell, Ryan Rutherford, Michael MacInnes, Martin Kenny. Subs (all used): Martin MacBeath, Alan Lees, Trialist
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