Dundee made a good start against the Staggies with two good efforts in the opening five minutes. First, a Josh Skelly free kick was turned behind for a corne, then a Sam Dryden 25-yard shot was tipped over the bar by County keeper Mark Foden.

At the other end Sean Gallacher came to the rescue with a timely interception when Darren Moffat’s cross from the right looked bound for the head of the inrushing Blair Malcolm.

Foden continued to be the busier keeper with a good save from a John Black shot after he had been played in by Skelly.

However, the visitors should have taken the lead on 15 minutes when Greg Morrison was given a free header six yards out but he could only head straight into the arms of Dens keeper Kyle Gourlay.

Dundee had the best chance of the match on 20 minutes when Black sent a ball over the top for Kyle Clark but Foden blocked and also saved the rebound from Skelly.

The Staggies keeper came to his side’s rescue again when he got his fingertips to an angled drive from Skelly.

Gourlay in the Dundee goal had been having a quiet afternoon but he was called into action eight minutes from the interval when he saved a free kick effort from County’s Chris McLaughlin.

There were loud appeals for a penalty when Skelly appeared to be pushed in the County box but the ref waved play on.

In the dying seconds of the first half Sam Dryden was injured after an aerial challenge, but there was no time to bring on sub Liam Gibb before the half time whistle sounded.

Greg Morrison twice had chances to give County the lead in the opening minutes of the second half but sent his efforts wide and high.

At the other end Skelly’s cross was met by the head of Clark but there wasn’t enough power to trouble Foden.

Ben Priest then went off injured and Ryan Shaw came on with Calvin Colquhoun dropping into central defence beside Kerr Waddell who was having an excellent game up against County dangerman Morrison.

County continued to press and Gourlay was forced into a point blank save from Malcolm.

Taylor Berry then replaced Clark and the youngster went upfront to partner Skelly.

Gourlay was forced to make another couple of saves in the dying minutes to keep his side level, firstly from Malcolm and then from Morrison.

In the final minute Dundee were awarded a free kick on the edge of the County box but Jesse Curran fired his shot over the bar.

FT: Dundee 0 Ross County 0

Dundee: Gourlay, Gallacher, Priest (Shaw 60), Waddell, Dryden (Gibb 46), Gemmell, Curran, Colquhoun, J Black, Skelly, Clark (Berry 76). Subs not used: Warwick, Beattie.

Ross Co: Foden, Miller, McLaughlin, S Morrison, Ross, Beeston, Malcolm, MacLennan, G Morrison, Dingwall, Moffatt. Subs not used: MacIver, Grant, Strachan, Tait.

Report: Jim Davie.