Ayr United3–0Inverness CT

A dress rehearsal for Wednesday�s CIS Cup Quarter Final and a closer game than the score suggests. Paul Sheerin came back to haunt Caley Thistle when he scored the opening goal in 11 minutes. He surged into the box from the left past several defenders then hit a shot which Jim Calder could only help into the net. Minutes later a Bobby Mann free kick was deflected for a corner and Craig Nelson tipped a David Bagan drive onto the bar. Midway through the half Nelson saved a glancing header from Dennis Wyness, Scott Crabbe fired over the visitors� bar then Gary Teale made a strong run from his own half but hit it past the post. In 39 minutes Nelson dropped a Russell Duncan cross from the right at the feet of Wyness but the striker could only touch it past. In the early part of the second half Barry Robson and Wyness forced saves from Nelson but Ayr scored a second in 55 minutes when Scott Crabbe headed home a cross from Craig McEwan. Nelson dived to touch away a Bobby Mann free kick in 66 minutes then Ayr hit on the counter-attack a minute later. Caley Thistle gave the ball away in midfield, Sheerin found Teale and the man-of-the match hit it under the advancing Calder for 3-0. The visitors tried for a consolation goal but it was Ayr who came close to scoring again when Teale sent a 25 yard curling shot past the post.