October 9th 2026
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
NAIRN COUNTY 2 – 2 ROSS COUNTY
TUESDAY 14 JULY 2026
STATION PARK, NAIRN
Goal Scorers: Ben Barron (30′), Millar Gamble (82′); Rio Hastings (52′), Luke McCarvel (71′)
Match Report by John Dolan
Nairn’s last home match of their pre-season programme saw them hold a Ross County side which included a handful of first team regulars.
Ben Barron opened the scoring for Nairn in the first half. The visitors then scored twice after the break, but a Millar Gamble headed goal gave Nairn a deserved equaliser.
The visitors were first to threaten when Dean Cornelius pulled the trigger just outside the box forcing Tom McHale into a decent stop.
But the Wee County replied in10 minutes when Oliver Lamont’s fresh air attempt allowed the ball to run through to Barron and the big striker was unlucky to see his shot from 14 yards come back off the underside the bar with keeper Bradley Wade well beaten.
At the other end, McHale needed two attempts to keep out Samuel MacLennan’s header off a Calum Brown cross.
Barron had another chance in 25 minutes when Kenny McInnes picked him out on the edge of the area, but this time his effort flew just over.
But with half an hour played the home side took the lead.
A Fraser Dingwall header off a Calum Mackay corner fell perfectly for Barron who stabbed the lose ball home from close range.
County were more than holding their own and with a bit more luck might have gone in at the break with a more commanding lead. (H-T 1-0.)
Staggies’ Andy MacLeod was denied an equaliser two minutes after the break thanks to a flying save from McHale. Dingwall fouled Brown 22 yards out and from the free kick MacLeod’s effort looked to be heading into the top corner until McHale, at full stretch, managed to get a hand to the ball.
However, the Division 1 men did draw level five minutes later when Lewis Mackay teed up first half substitute Rio Hastings for an easy tap in.
The visitors then took the lead with a superb three-man move in 71 minutes.
Substitute Ruaridh Campbell sent a terrific ball through to MacLeod and from the byline his delivery found Luke McCarvel and he made no mistake as he raced in at the back post.
Brown should have increased his side’s lead in 76 minutes, but dragged his shot wide when well placed.
County were unlucky not to draw level in 77 minutes. A Mackay delivery was met first time by Leo Walker, but his fine volley smashed off the inside of the upright before flashing across the face of the goal.
But the home side were deservedly level in 82 minutes. MacLeod fouled Jake Thomson and from the free kick Mackay pickekd out Gamble to send a header beyond Wade.
The Staggies went close to grabbing a winner with five minutes to go when McCarvel fed Brown, but his low drive was well blocked by McHale – and in the end a draw was just about the right result.
NAIRN COUNTY – McHale, Carnihan, Walker (Voight 78), Gamble, Dingwall (F. Munro 78), MacInnes (Bain 78), Mackay, Dey (K. McKenzie 63), Barron (McAlpine 69), Thomson, Brindle (yellow 61) (Eadie 68). Substitutes – Munro (gk).
ROSS COUNTY – Wade, Randall (Hastings 20) Williamson, Reid, Lamont (Ferguson 67), Cornelius (Munro 67) McCarvel, Mackay, Brown, MacLeod, MacLennan (Campbell 67). Substitutes – Reid (gk).
Referee – David Alexander.
