Dundee & Ross County out to secure survival in bottom-six finale.

Dundee and Ross County will compete in Sunday’s bottom-six finale to ensure their Scottish Premiership survival, but who will win?

St Johnstone’s automatic relegation was confirmed after losing to Hearts on Wednesday.

That means Dundee and County will battle it out to avoid the dreaded play-off spot after drawing 1-1 at Dens Park in midweek. Livingston lies in wait.

The Highland club enters their home match against Motherwell with the odds stacked against them, needing to make up a two-point deficit on Tony Docherty’s side, who also have a six-goal advantage.

However, a County victory on Sunday would mean they are prepared to strike if Dundee lose to relegated St Johnstone.

Dundee ‘galvanised by adversity’

Dundee’s dramatic draw with County on Wednesday was made possible by a controversial penalty decision, which allowed Ronan Hale to score a late equaliser.

Docherty, Dens Park’s manager, says his team has been inspired by the “adversity” of referee Nick Walsh’s handball call, which came after defender Ryan Astley headed the ball on to teammate Antonio Portales’ raised arm.

Docherty felt aggrieved by decisions for the third time in three games, but he is now solely focused on Sunday’s final match as Dundee look to avoid finishing 11th.

“Wednesday night and Thursday, it was tough to process for myself and the players, but that’s a period you need to go through,” says Docherty.

“My entire focus is now on things I can control, affect, and influence. We’ve moved on from that and gotten together, and I sense that adversity has really galvanised the group.

“There’s a real strong mentality we’re looking to promote and hopefully that can help us towards Sunday’s match.”

‘Real clarity’ advantages County has survived the relegation play-off twice in a row and may need to do so again this season as Livingston awaits.

But if they can break their eight-game losing streak against Motherwell, they will put serious pressure on Dundee in Perth.

County manager Cowie says his team will carry “confidence and momentum” into their final-day attempt to secure survival following Wednesday’s last-gasp equaliser, which ended a run of seven straight defeat.

“It was important we made sure there was something to play for in the last game,” Cowie told reporters. “There is no doubt that we must win on Sunday, and that is exactly what we intend to do.

“Confidence is important, and the way we got the equaliser was crucial; it gives us momentum heading into Sunday.

“We’ve been through this process before, and what’s kept us going is our unity and the fans’ unwavering support.

“I’m sure they will turn out in their numbers and give us the backing we need to try and get over the line.”

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk