Hamilton Accies slumped to a disappointing defeat after a dropped cross handed Ross County all three points.
Ryan Fulton spilled a cross allowing the Highland visitors striker Billy McKay to bury the ball in the corner for the only goal of the game.
Accies were the first to threaten in the opening exchanges as David Moyo headed the ball down to Andy Winter, however the teenager couldn't connect properly and the ball skewed out of play.
Harry Paton found Lee Erwin unmarked at the back post from the left wing, and it took a great stop from Ryan Fulton to block with his legs at point blank range after eight minutes.
After 26 minutes Scott Martin found debutant Callum Smith in the box, and the winger cut in from the left and unleashed a low drive that was smothered by Staggies keeper Ross Laidlaw.
Smith once again caused havoc on the flank as he outpaced Connor Randall after 40 minutes and his powerful low shot was kept out by the legs of Laidlaw.
In the second half, County were controlling possession as star man Ross Stewart found Billy McKay in the box after 60 minutes, however his volley was blocked by a last-gasp block by Hakeen Odoffin.
Moments later McKay then turned provider as a quick break saw him find Randall unmarked with time in the box. He squared the ball to Stewart who smashed the ball off the left-hand post before Accies' defence scrambled the ball clear.
Lewis Smith found space in the box for the hosts, but as he held off the County defence but the ball over the bar under pressure as the hosts struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Fulton flapped at substitute Josh Mullin's cross after 70 minutes and Michael Gardyne had an open goal to aim at, however the Accies defence were there to block and spare the keepers blushes.
The keeper was again at fault as he struggled to hold Iain Vigurs cross sparking a goalmouth scramble. Gardyne hit a low shot that was saved by Fulton, but McKay would convert after 77 minutes.
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
