Inverness CT4–1Stenhousemuir

The home side lifted themselves off the bottom of the Division with this impressive performance. Despite enforced changes the team played well and controlled most of the game. Duncan Shearer had to go to Raigmore Hospital for stitches to a head wound after 22 minutes and he was replaced by Wayne Addicoat. The first half hour was a tale of near things but in 37 minutes transfer-listed Brian Thomson hammered home the first goal from 25 yards after a cut back from Barry Wilson. Seven minutes later Wilson made it two when he ran onto an Addicoat pass and hit a tremendous shot from 25 yards which deflected past Neil Alexander. Four minutes into the second half Stenhousemuir pulled one back when Ian Little headed home a cross from the right – bad defensive marking once more cost the Inverness side a soft goal. A minute later a Paul Hunter close range shot forced a good save from Fridge but Stenhousemuir created little after that. In 54 minutes Paul Cherry sent Iain Stewart clear into the box, Stewart slipped it to Addicoat but his 8 yard shot was blocked. Caley Jags piled on the pressure and in 71 minutes it was 3-1. A McCulloch 25 yard blast came off the bar and a defender before falling to Addicoat who hooked it home while on his back! In 82 minutes it was all over when Stewart scored the fourth. A through ball found him on the edge of the box and he clinically flicked it past Alexander. Four minutes later it should have been 5-1 when Addicoat rounded the ‘keeper and missed an open goal. Overall a fine afternoon for the home fans – they have waited a long time for a Division 2 league win at Caledonian Stadium.