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Ross County claimed their fourth goalless draw of the season against Dundee United at Tannadice.

The visitors looked more likely to break the deadlock in the first half, with Colin McMenamin's header hitting the crossbar early on.

McMenamin squandered further chances as County asserted themselves.

But it was United who came closest to an opener in the second half, with Ryan Dow's floated effort ricocheting off the bar 20 minutes from the end.

County are now 40 league games unbeaten and sit equal on points with second-place United as well as Celtic and Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.

The Highland side almost took the lead early on when McMenamin hit the bar with a header and the striker missed a great chance in the 10th minute when, from six yards, he knocked the ball wide of goal after United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak had failed to control a passback from Keith Watson.

United responded and Johnny Russell beat two men on a 30-yard run but was thwarted when keeper Michael Fraser blocked his low shot with his foot, and Russell's follow-up hit the side net.

Michael Gardyne also tested the County keeper with a neat first-half turn and shot, Fraser leaping to his left to beat the ball to safety.

County's Iain Vigurs whipped in a cross at the start of the second half and the ball skimmed off the head of McMenamin before flashing wide.

United then gained the upper hand for a spell and created a clutch of opportunities.

Ryan Dow went down under a challenge from Ross Tokely but referee Willie Collum waved aside the home crowd's claims for a penalty.

Fraser then had to race off his line to boot away a through ball meant for the onrushing John Rankin.

On the hour mark, Dow lofted a Marc Fitzpatrick clearance over the County keeper only to hit the bar and Gavin Gunning's downward header was well saved at the far post by the ever-alert Fraser minutes later.

Keith Watson's shot deflected off Richard Brittain and looped goalwards but Fraser dealt with the danger smartly and clutched the ball to ensure County left Tayside with a point.

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