Ronan Hale’s dramatic penalty equaliser six minutes into stoppage time not only relegated St Johnstone but rescued Ross County’s hopes of escaping second bottom and a play-off to avoid dropping to the Championship themselves.
But for that goal, hosts Dundee would have been safe and dreaming of their holidays as they travel to face the doomed Saints on Sunday.
Instead, Tony Docherty’s side have been dragged into a final-day shootout to avoid facing whoever wins the Premiership play-off semi-final after Friday’s second leg between Livingston or Partick Thistle, which Livi lead 2-0 from the first leg.
Whichever manager finds himself in that position will come under increasing pressure amid question marks about whether they will be given the chance to chase a quick return to the top flight next season.
Don Cowie has been in this position before, being handed the County job permanently after leading his side to a play-off victory over Raith Rovers last season as interim boss.
Heading into Saturday two points adrift, the Dingwall side remain favourites to finish second bottom in three successive seasons.
Especially as they must end an eight-game run without a victory to stand a chance of leapfrogging Dundee – and even then they must also hope the Dark Blues also lose in Perth.
That is not strictly true. If County win and Dundee draw, Cowie’s side would need to beat Motherwell by at least seven goals to overturn the goal difference.
There is also a scenario where, if Dundee draw 0-0, the Staggies would overtake them by winning 20-14, but the reality is Cowie’s side need a win.
County had lost seven in a row before Saturday’s draw opened a backdoor escape route and Motherwell arrive having lost just once in five outings, so the signs are not promising.
However, Cowie’s side have not lost to Sunday’s visitors in three meetings this season, winning the past two, the latest by 3-0 at Fir Park in February.
Meanwhile, in addition to that late stunner against County, Docherty has been left cursing some controversial refereeing decisions in recent weeks as he looks to extend Dundee’s stay for a third season since promotion.
It leaves the Dark Blues without a win in three outings and he will be hoping Saints, who have themselves only won once in six, are not motivated into one big goodbye performance.
A repeat of the 1-1 draw at Dens Park in March would probably be enough for Docherty’s side and they will take heart from the 3-1 win on their last visit to Perth in January.
