Caley Thistle secure play off spot despite Dundee United defeat
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 0
Dundee United 2
Safranko (27) McMullan (50)
Dundee United postponed Ross County’s Championship title party by securing a victory at Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Despite the defeat Inverness have the consolation of securing their play-off spot after Dunfermline lost 2-1 at Queen of the South.
Pavol Safranko and Paul McMullan scored the goals to keep United six points behind the Staggies with two games remaining.
Dundee United had the first chance of the game from a corner when the ball fell its way to Mark Connolly whose shot on goal forced a fine save from Cammy Mackay.
Caley Thistle responded when Tom Walsh produced a bicycle kick towards the bottom left corner and forced a good save from Benjamin Siegrist
They continued to press when Joe Chalmers’ cross into the box found the head of Aaron Doran that was saved by Siegrist.
Walsh fancied his chances from 35 yards when he launched a speculative effort which forced the Swiss keeper to tip the ball over the bar.
But Dundee United broke the deadlock after 27 minutes when Peter Pawlett set up Pavol Safranko in the box and from 12 yards the Slovakian curled the ball into the bottom left corner.
Dundee United almost doubled their lead minutes later when Paul Watson’s header crashed off the crossbar.
Walsh had a golden chance to equalise before half time when he beat the offside trap to run on to Polworth’s pass but blasted over the bar.
Dundee United doubled their advantage after the break when Paul McMullan picked up the ball on the box and charged in before firing past Mackay from six yards.
Caley Thistle players protested McMullan handball in the build up but the referee waved play-on.
Dundee United should have made it 3-0 with 15 minute remaining when Jamie Robson had a clear chance at goal but his effort was headed off the line by Shaun Rooney.
Anthony McDonald came close to pulling one back for Inverness late on but rarely threatened afterwards.
Brad Mckay was sent off late in the game after receiving a booking for a handball and his reaction towards the referee resulted in him getting his marching orders.
Nathan Austin nearly pulled one back in injury time when his close range header forced a great save from Siegrist.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle will face Ayr United in the first round of play-offs with the winner taking on Dundee United in the next round.
ICT: Mackay, Rooney, Chalmers, McCart, Polworth (McCauley 68), Doran (Austin 60), Walsh (McDonald 68), White, Mckay, Trafford, McHattie.
(Subs) Fon Williams, Donaldson, MacGregor, Harper.
Dundee United: Siegrist, McMullan (Clark 64), Safranko , Robson, Butcher (Bojhenna 75), Reynolds, Watson, Harkes, Pawlett (Booth 45), Connolly.
Subs (Unused) Laidlaw, Fyvie, Gomis, Nesbitt, Smith.
Referee: Greg Aitken.
Attendance 2971
