Arbroath1–0Inverness CT

It took a solitary Innes Ritchie strike seven minutes from time to settle this rather drab affair at a cold and windy Gayfield. Caley Thistle�s Stuart McCaffrey missed his first game of the season after aggravating an injury against Partick. In the second minute a Graham Bayne overhead kick tested Nicky Walker then in 10 minutes John McGlashan had a chance but Walker saved. At the Arbroath end in 15 minutes Graeme Stewart headed past and two minutes later Dennis Wyness shot wide. In 38 minutes a John Cusick 22 yard free kick hit the woodwork with Walker beaten. Craig Hinchcliffe dropped a Barry Robson cross in 65 minutes but recovered to collect the ball with Bobby Mann in attendance. John McGlashan and Paul Ritchie both had to be substituted in 72 minutes after a clash of heads. Three minutes later a long Walker kick-out set up a chance for Ritchie�s replacement Martin Bavidge when the ball bounced over the defence � Bavidge hit it first time from the edge of the box but Hinchcliffe blocked then caught it. The goal came in 83 minutes after a low Kevin Heenan corner from the right. A George Rowe shot was blocked and his follow up was saved but not held by Walker. Innes Ritchie accepted the chance gratefully and scored from close range. In injury time the visitors came close when a Mann effort beat Hinchcliffe but Rowe cleared off the line. With most lower teams winning Caley Thistle now lie fifth but just three points clear of Ross County in ninth place.