Inverness CT 1-0 Dunfermline

A very poor game ended with the Pars losing to a wicked deflection inside added time which meant a long and fruitless journey home for the ever dwindling band of supporters who had made it up the A9.

The game looked as if it was heading for an equitable 0-0 draw but some credit must be given to the home side as they were the only ones pressing for a winner in the dying minutes. The Pars had disappointingly retreated deep into their own half against a side that were no better than them but had a clear edge with their determination to get something from the match.

The Pars started with the same team that beat St Mirren last week with De Vries in goal. Shields at right back, Wilson and Bamba as centre backs and Woods at left back. In midfield, Ross, Mason Young and Morrison. Hamilton and Crawford in attack.

The Pars actually started very brightly winning a corner within the first minute with Greg Ross hitting wide. Caley were very close to opening the scoring in 6 minutes but were denied by two very good saves by De Vries in quick succession. Stevie Crawford cut in from the left in 9 minutes only to hit his shot high and wide. Dargo, Bayne and Barry Wilson were causing some problems for the Pars defence but Wilson and Bamba were usually there to tidy up. Dargo hit a weak shot at De Vries in 16 minutes and should have done better.

Morrison was doing some good work on the left but at times dwells on the ball instead of looking for a quick pass and all too often his crosses were floated rather than hit with any power. The floated cross makes it very easy for a good goalkeeper like Brown to take with no problem.

Inverness were given a free kick for a barge on Wilson by Wilson in 23 minutes which was never a foul but Hart hit the free kick wide. Darren Young had a shot blocked but the Pars at this stage were finding it difficult to open up the home defence. McBain was allowed to run forward to the edge of the Pars area but De Vries saved.

The Pars won two corners in quick succession in 29 minutes but did nothing with them. Ross hit a good shot after a lay off by Crawford. Just as half time was approaching it looked as if Inverness had taken the lead as a Bayne header just crept around the outside of De Vries right hand post. Half time 0-0

No changes at half time for the Pars. Stevie Crawford chipped a little cross from the right hand side of the 18 yard area with Hamilton’s header easily saved by Brown. It was then Stevie who was set up by Morrison but he hit his powerful effort was too high. Morrison was taken off in 52 minutes with Muirhead replacing him on the left. That seemed to be a positive move as Muirhead linked with Mason putting over a low cross which was cleared.

Muirhead then had a great chance with a good shot in 62 minutes which was blocked. Hamilton picked up a yellow card in 64 minutes for an alleged elbow on Dods. Freddie Dacquin replaced Greg Ross in 65 minutes.

Dacquin was playing on the right but was rarely given a pass or good ball to run onto. Muirhead had another god shot in 66 minutes which was well saved. Tod then replaced Hamilton who had a difficult afternoon up against Darren Dods.