Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

Billy Mckay scored a goal in each half as Ross County ended a winless run of eight matches with a deserved Scottish Premiership victory over Livingston.

The veteran striker cracked a second-minute opener past Robby McCrorie from 12 yards, then added a second just before the hour, rolling in after rounding McCrorie.

Lyndon Dykes hit County's side net and Scott Pittman sent a shot over the bar as the division's fifth-place side tried to respond, but Gary Holt's side could not avoid slipping to defeat.

Mckay sparks County into life

County midfielder Iain Vigurs, previewing the match, had said that his team had to rebuild their confidence. Yet there seemed no lack of belief in the home ranks as they began with a purpose, winning 50-50 challenges and stroking the ball crisply to team-mates.

Mckay's scampering style can lift fans and, having retained his place in the side after an appearance from the bench in the weekend defeat at Kilmarnock, he showed the kind of energy that buoys a team.

Sean Kelly curled in an inviting ball to the back post from the left touchline, Marcus Fraser was first to latch on to it and, despite being outnumbered in the box, Mckay swept in to leave McCrorie helpless.

Livingston looked out of sorts and might have gone further behind had Callum Morris been more accurate with a header on 20 minutes and had Lee Erwin not over-hit a cross in to the box for Fraser, arriving at the back post.

The delivery on that latter occasion may been awry but it evidenced the belief in the home side.

Livingston improved as the half progressed but it took until the 39th minute for them to trouble the County goal, Dykes crashing a shot in to the side net from 10 yards.

Gary Holt's side are seldom in the mood to surrender three points and looked the team more likely to score the game's second. Brown headed wide and midfielder Pittman zipped a 30-yard volley over the bar as the visitors sought an equaliser.

But it was Mckay who helped quell the revolt as he accepted a Vigurs pass outside the box, rounded McCrorie at pace and rolled the ball home with half an hour to play.

The Northern Ireland international might soon have been celebrating a hat-trick as Kelly, keen to deliver all night, teed him up with a fine cross but the striker glanced it wide with his boot.

Holt made a triple substitution, sending on Steve Lawson, Dolly Menga and Robbie Crawford for Jack McMillan, Scott Robinson and Craig Sibbald.

But County, having shipped 50 goals in 24 league games prior to kick-off, held firm, with a looping header by Dyes five minutes from time the closest Livingston came to scoring thereafter.

Man of the match - Billy Mckay

Eilidh Davies, BBC Scotland at Global Energy Stadium

Mckay made the difference for the Highland side. The Northern Irishman was sharp for the opening goal and composed for his second in 59 minutes.

The intent and energy he brought to the game seemed to be mirrored throughout a County side who look to have turned a corner.

'I thought they gave their all' - reaction

Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson: "It's difficult in this league but the players were well up for it. We had to fight exceptionally hard for that. Livingston are a good side.

"Billy's a goalscorer. He needs to be given service that he can threaten the goal with. He was well backed by the rest of his team tonight. We know what he brings to the team."

Livingston manager Gary Holt: "I can't ask for any more of the lads. I thought they gave their all, they tried to win the game, they moved the ball well at times.

"Did we threaten the goalkeeper enough? Maybe not - we need to do more in the final third. You've got to give Ross County credit. They harassed us at times but we were well in the game."