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Highland armies have rarely enjoyed the long march southwards and yesterday’s Scottish Cup final emphasised the point. Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobites got as far as Derby before his more timid generals urged the retreat that ended calamitously at Culloden. For Ross County and the 20,000 fans they had recruited from the straths and glens of their hinterland, the killing ground was Hampden Park and the forces of authority were not arrayed in red coats but tangerine jerseys.

They were none the less ruthless for that. Dundee United had studied recordings of Celtic’s folly in assuming that the Staggies were no better than goal fodder and Peter Houston had drilled into his players that they would have to begin with pace and determination and maintain it throughout.

Since County were bent on the same strategy, the first 45 minutes presented a contest almost devoid of style and invention. The right to play, of course, has to be won by the assertion of more basic strengths and County were obdurate. Nevertheless, there were ominous signs of what fate lay in store for them as they toiled to win any kind of quality possession in midfield against the assiduous pair of Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben.

United, meanwhile, did not find it easy to work their way around County’s flanks and their best efforts from that department came towards the close of the first half as they won corner kicks which Craig Conway hung dangerously underneath Michael McGovern’s crossbar. From one such delivery Andy Webster, the United captain, saw a header deflected on to the far post, but the referee had already blown for an infringement.

When the opening few minutes after the restart promised more of the same Derek Adam shuffled his pack, sending on Paul Lawson for Steven Craig. Almost immediately County began to find the rhythm which had eluded them, only to be undone by a goalkeeping error that handed United the lead out of nowhere.

When the wide areas are unproductive United have the useful option of punting balls towards their hard-running front pair of David Goodwillie and Jon Daly. The ploy worked a treat just after the hour mark when Daly chased a hopeful lob towards the edge of the County penalty box.

McGovern had come smartly out of his goal but reckoned that he could not afford to wait for the ball to come into his area so that he could collect. Instead he headed out and away from Daly but his attempt at a clearance fell straight to Goodwillie, who mastered the ball with his chest and then lobbed into the unguarded goal ahead of Alex Keddie’s despairing attempt to intercept.

Given the disparity of quality between the teams, the first goal was a defining moment. County had show, not only in their famous victory over Celtic, but also in their draw with Hibernian and subsequent replay in the quarter-finals, that they had the stamina and force of will to maintain their threat until the final moments, if given the opportunity.

Craig Conway, though, abolished Highland hopes almost single-handedly. He had looked the most likely player on view even in the early battles of attrition and he confirmed that estimate with the contributions that put an end to County’s hopes.

After a couple of knock-on headers along United’s left he latched on to possession and accelerated away from Gary Miller. McGovern came out to close the angles but Conway’s finish was perfection, a low angled shot that left the goalkeeper helpless. He struck again within 10 minutes and this time County’s pain stemmed from one of their own throw-ins, from which they conceded possession level with their penalty box.

The return ball was shuttled on by Gomis to Conway, who steered home adeptly for his own second and United’s third with five minutes left on the clock. County were finished but it was testimony to their supporters that only a few made for the exits. The rest stayed to salute their gallant side for offering them the prospect of romance in a tournament no Highland side had ever disputed, let alone won.

For United, though, the revels were in full boisterous swing in celebration of only the second success in the tournament in 101 years of the club’s history. For Peter Houston, the consequences will be more tangible — the man who reluctantly shouldered the burden of interim manager after Craig Levein’s departure last Christmas will be offered the job full time this week.

The paradox is that he may never achieve as much as when he was just keeping the seat warm.

Dundee United (4-4-2): Pernis; Kovacevic (Watson 83), Webster, Kenneth, Dillon; Swanson (S Robertson 74), Buaben, Gomis, Conway; Daly, Goodwillie (D Robertson 78). Subs: Banks, Cadamarteri. Booked: Goodwillie, Gomis.

Ross County (4-5-1): McGovern; Miller, Boyd, Scott (Wood 79), Morrison; Craig (Lawson 52), Vigurs, Keddie, Brittain, Gardyne (Di Giacomo 77); Barrowman. Subs: Malin, Kettlewell. Booked: Miller, Wood.