Inverness Caledonian Thistle win second consecutive game to reduce gap at bottom

Scottish League One

Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1

Alloa Athletic 0

Scorer: Gilmour (71)

Inverness Caledonian Thistle picked up their second consecutive win in League One as they defeated former leaders Alloa Athletic at the Caledonian Stadium.

Charlie Gilmour scored the winner in the second half to reduce the gap with the rest of the division to 10 points as Annan Athletic dropped to ninth after losing 2-0 to Kelty Hearts.

But there is injury concern for Jake Davidson who had to come off in a wheelchair after suffering an injury in the first half.

The full back pulled up after challenging goalkeeper Peter Morrison for the ball in the 18th minute.

Inverness made one change to the team that beat Cove Rangers 2-1 in Aberdeen last weekend.

Keith Bray was unavailable through injury and was replaced by Robbie Thompson who was promoted from the substitutes bench.

First real chance came midway through the first half when Paul Allan’s free kick into the box was met by Billy Mckay.

At the edge of the six-yard box, the Northern Irish striker was allowed a free header at goal that was well saved by Peter Morrison.

Inverness came close to the opener 10 minutes before half time when James Nolan’s cross from the right wing was met by Mckay who teed up Robbie Thompson at the edge of the box.

But he was unable to find the target as he fired a low drive inches wide of the left post.

Inverness started brightly in the second half and came close when Luis Longstaff sent in a cross from the left wing.

Mckay was unchallenged again from 10 yards out whose shot on goal went straight into the hands of Morrison.

But Alloa almost went in front when Cameron O’Donnell free kick found Luke Donnelly whose shot hit against the left post.

Inverness then took the incentive and came close when Adam Mackinnon’s shot clattered against the right post and the ball came out to Paul Allan who saw his shot curled inches around the left post.

But the deadlock was broken with 19 minutes remaining when a lack of selfishness from Mackinnon, who instead having a blast from the edge of the 18-yard box, drove wide to the left before sending a cross to find Gilmour to slot home from six yards.

Inverness managed to hold on to the one-goal advantage to gain a vital three points.

Inverness: Dibaga, Davidson (Strachan 18), Savage, Devine, Glimour, Mackinnon, Mckay (Cairns 90), Longstaff, Thompson (Macleod 66), Allan, Nolan.

Substitutes (Unused): Rebilas, Mackay, Walker, Reid.

Alloa: Morrison, Taggart, Waters, Neill, Donnelly, Scougall (Sammon 83), Virtranen (Hetherington 55) , Mckay, Buchanan (Cawley 55), O’Donnell (McDonnell 83), Rankin.

Substitutes (Unused): Ogayi, Hetherington, Graham, Honeyman, Nevans, Thomson.

Referee: Colin Whyte

Attendance 1578

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