Caley Thistle crash out of Irn-Bru Cup
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Irn Bru Cup First Round
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1
Dunfermline Athletic 2
HOLDERS Inverness crashed out of the Irn-Bru cup at the first hurdle in heartbreaking fashion as Dunfermline struck late to seal their place in the second round.
Kallum Higginbotham’s penalty had the visitors in the lead, but Caley Thistle hit back through Jordan White. However, Callum Smith’s strike with three minutes to go saw the home side crash out.
Manager John Robertson made seven changes to the side which drew with Ayr United on Saturday. Among the alterations, Daniel Mackay made his first start, as did Sean Welsh, while there was a second Caley Thistle debut for Jamie McCart and a first-team bow for goalkeeper Daniel Hoban.
The game took a while to spark into life, with debutant keeper Hoban making an excellent save to deny Andy Ryan after the Dunfermline striker had robbed Charlie Trafford of possession just outside the Caley Thistle box.
With 25 minutes gone, the deadlock was broken in controversial circumstances. Trafford again lost possession to Ryan, and as the striker drove into the box, he was hauled down by Brad McKay. It looked as though the foul had taken place outside the area, but referee Alan Muir pointed to the spot. Stand-in captain Higginbotham stepped up and confidently tucked the spot-kick past Hoban to give the visitors the advantage.
The hosts immediately went in search of the equaliser and Shaun Rooney was not far away from his first goal for Caley Thistle, heading just wide of the target. The Pars were almost two in front within seconds of the start of the second half.
Ryan again caused problems, firing in a stinging drive which Hoban couldn’t hold, but with Callum Smith lurking Riccardo Calder hacked clear. The introduction of Tom Walsh and George Oakley seemed to spark the hosts into life somewhat and they began to turn the screw in search of their leveller.
White and Aaron Doran both sent headers wide, but the equaliser did arrive just after the hour mark. Calder made a nuisance of himself down the left and sent in a teasing cross, and White got in front of his man to flick the ball beyond the helpless Cameron Gill.
That really got the home side’s tails up and they nearly had a second when Walsh cut inside onto his left foot, firing a powerful low drive towards goal which Gill got down to deal with. The young keeper was having an excellent game and had to be on his toes again, making a terrific save after Stewart Morrison had diverted a Walsh cross towards his own goal.
Despite all Caley Thistle’s pressure, it would ultimately be for nothing as Dunfermline regained the lead with three minutes to go. Ryan, the Pars’ best player on the night, broke down the left and squared for Smith, who knocked the ball beyond Hoban from close range.
