Caley Thistle held by goalless draw by Doonhamers
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One week on from their 2-1 league loss at Dumbarton, the toiling hosts were without suspended skipper Gary Warren, while Joe Chalmers dropped to the bench.
Striker John Baird was back in the Inverness CT side and defender David Raven slotted in at the back.
Mid-table Queens, who lost 3-1 at St Mirren six days ago, made three changes. In came Callum Tapping, Andrew Stirling and Chris Kane for benched trio Darren Brownlie, Derek Lyle and Lyndon Dykes.
The first chance was created by the Highlanders when stand-in captain Iain Vigurs whipped in a corner and Brad Mckay nodded just wide of the left post.
On 10 minutes, ICT keeper Owain Fon Williams brilliantly tipped over a dippingt drive from Queens' Shaun Rooney.
Opportunities were few and far between. Both teams offered plenty of graft, but lacked any killer touch.
That was summed up in the closing minute of the first half when Stephen Dobbie was put into a decent position 10 yards out, but drilled his shot high over the crossbar.
Just after the break, Queens claimed for what looked like a spot-kick as Dobbie was decked by Donaldson in the box but referee Euan Anderson waved play on.
On 57 minutes, Fon Williams came to the Caley Jags' rescue when he dived to push clear a fierce effort from Dobbie as Queens grew in confidence.
Dobbie again got a slimpse of goal when he weaved into the box not long after that, but pulled his shot beyond the left post.
On 72 minutes, the visitors had another chance as ex-ICT star John Rankin fed the ball in for Callum Tapping, but again Fon Williams saved the shot.
The Doonhamers then appealed for a penalty again when the ball seemed to strike a hand, but Anderson was having none of it.
So, only their second clean sheet in the league this season earned ICT a point, but that was enough to see them dip one spot into the relegation play-off position.
Next weekend, ICT turn their attention to the Irn-Bru Cup when they host Peterhead.
Caley Thistle: Fon Williams, Raven, Tremarco, Polworth, Baird (Mulraney 81),, Vigurs, Oakley (Calder 52), Bell, Mckay, Donaldson, Trafford. Subs not used: Ridgers (GK), Chalmers, Elsdon, Cooper, Brown.
Queen of the South: Martin, Rooney (Rooney 86), Marshall, Fordyce, Tapping, Stirling (Lyle 68), Rankin, Kane (McFadden 84), Dobbie, Jacobs, Kerr. Subs not used: Leighfield (GK), Murray, Mercer, Dykes.
Referee: Euan Anderson.
Attendance: 2082.
