Inverness Caley Thistle crash out of Challenge Cup on penalties after 0-0 draw at Caledonian Stadium
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Inverness Caley Thistle (0) 0
Raith Rovers (0) 0
Raith Rovers tonight sent Caley Thistle crashing out of the Challenge Cup on penalties.
The championship promotion foes fought out a scoreless 90 minutes that was competitive, but bereft of inspiration.
But in sudden death, Raith keeper Robbie Thomson pulled off his second save of the shoot-out from Shane Sutherland’s attempt.
That set up a semi-final clash with Kilmarnock for the Kirkcaldy side.
Raith still haven’t managed to defeat Caley Thistle in open play in 26 meetings stretching back 21 years.
The remarkable hoodoo was only notionally broken in October last year after another shootout defeat for the hosts in a League Cup group match.
Reece McAlear’s sweet, 20-yard connection fizzed low just past the right hand post for understrength Caley Thistle in the 15th minute.
Lewis Jamieson also tested keeper Robbie Thomson while Kyle Benedictus saw his blushes spared by the off-side flag after heading into his own net after 35 minutes.
Raith’s counter-attacks were also thwarted by the assistant’s flag on several first half occasions.
Otherwise, there were precious few clear cut chances before the break.
Perhaps with Friday’s crucial league tussle at home to Kilmarnock in mind, the hosts replaced Billy Mckay with Shane Sutherland at the break.
More replacements followed for both sides with play sorely lacking in inspiration.
There was a substitute’s debut for Caley Jags’ 17 year-old schoolboy Kenny MacInnes as home boss Billy Dodds searched for answers.
The home side passed up a dream chance after 70 minutes.
Tom Walsh played Lewis Jamieson clean in on goal. He should have scored, but keeper Thomson pulled off a superb block.
Moments later, Jamieson tumbled in the box, but penalty claims were waved away by referee Barry Cook.
With five minutes left, a fine Raith move ended with home keeper Cammy MacKay holding a powerful header from sub Ethon Varian.
Aiden Connolly also bent a superb 20-yard attempt just wide of the left hand post, before it went to penalties.
INVERNESS CALEY THISTLE (4-2-3-1) - MacKay; Carson (Carnahan 77), Welsh (Allardice 62), Deas, Harper; McDonald, McAlear (Doran 77), MacGregor (MacInnes 62), Walsh; Jamieson, Mckay (Sutherland 46). Subs: Ridgers, Barron, Proudfoot.
RAITH ROVERS (4-4-1-1) - Thomson; Tumilty, Berra, Benedictus (Lang 79), Dick; Connolly, Tait, Matthews, Zanatta (Mitchell 57); Ross (Riley-Snow 34) (Arnott 79); Poplatnik (Varian 57). Subs: Musonda,Young.
Booked: Riley-Snow 42
Referee: Barry Cook
ends
