Inverness CT1–2Stranraer

A poor display against a Stranraer side which just made it through the snow to Inverness. The game started positively for the home side when Barry Wilson nearly gave them the lead after one minute. He took a long pass from Ross Tokely and headed for goal – Gary Matthews came off his line and tipped it away. The ball ran loose but Wilson could not reach it. After that the game was bogged down in midfield and it was Stranraer who made the breakthrough in 37 minutes. Gordon Young forced a corner, it was taken by Ian McAulay and Mark Campbell rose to head home. Five minutes into the second half Wilson forced a good save from Matthews and this spurred a home revival. It did not however lead to a goal and Stranraer scored another on the hour mark. A Tom Black cross from the left caught out the defence and it fell for Gordon Young who hit it past Les Fridge. Caley Thistle fought back and in 64 minutes a Sandy Robertson shot from the edge of the box blazed over the bar. In 70 minutes Wayne Addicoat met a Barry Robson corner but Matthews brilliantly blocked the youngster’s effort. 10 minutes from time Paul Cherry clawed one back when he rifled home a Barry Wilson corner from 8 yards. Three minutes later it should have been 2-2 when a Robertson lob from 20 yards went just wide with Matthews beaten. It became clear that it was not Caley Thistle’s day when a stonewall penalty was turned down in 84 minutes. Black brought down Wilson in the box but the referee was not persuaded. A disappointing result for the home side.