Inverness CT1–0Queen of the South

Caley Thistle should have won this game by more than one goal. Queens played hard in every sense and were lucky that Jim Thomson was the only player who took an early shower. It was 13 minutes before Caley Thistle troubled Queens Mark McCulloch sending a blistering 20 yard drive over the bar. In 18 minutes a Scott Mclean run set up Paul Sheerin but he was tackled well by McAllister. In 22 minutes Mclean had two shots blocked then a minute later he was one on one with the keeper before he was foiled by a defender. Queens first foray upfield came in 28 minutes but Les Fridge raced out of his area to reach the ball ahead of Stephen Mallan. Duncan Shearer headed past in 31 minutes, a McLean glancing header was cleared in 36 minutes and just before half time Paul Sheerin was in on David Mathieson before the keeper beat the ball away. The second half was little different from the first - Caley Thistle pressure, desperate defending and fine work by David Mathieson. Mallan had one chance for Queens in 56 minutes but he hit the side netting under pressure from Ross Tokely and Les Fridge. The goal came in 73 minutes after a Wilson free kick from the left. McLean headed it across goal from the back post and George Rowe hit it into his own net. Queens frustration boiled up in 85 minutes and Thomson was sent off after a foul on McLean, a second bookable offence. In 88 minutes Mathieson brilliantly tipped over a 35 yard McCulloch drive. With their rivals on cup duty Caley Thistle gained ground and they are now only four points behind Livingston and 14 ahead of Clyde.