Inverness Caledonian Thistle start Championship campaign with victory at Arbroath
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Scottish Championship
Arbroath 0
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1
Scorer: Sutherland (66)
SHANE Sutherland gave Inverness Caledonian Thistle the perfect start to their Championship campaign as he scored the winner at Gayfield.
The Halkirk man kept his composure after a lung busting run from halfway to chip in the winner from 20-yards to give them all three points.
The victory will come as a welcome boost for Inverness who look to recover from a disappointing League Cup campaign.
Inverness had a chance early on in the match when Tom Walsh sent a great low drive from a tight angle towards goal that had to be cleared by Colin Hamilton.
Arbroath had chances in the first half too, their best coming from Joel Nouble who used his lightning pace to charge 60 yards down the right wing and charged into the box before seeing his shot flash wide of the left post.
Sutherland almost gave Inverness the lead before half time when he saw his low drive cleared off the line as Arbroath kept the game goalless at half time.
Manny Duku thought he gave Inverness the lead before the hour mark when he nodded Reece McAlear's shot into the net from eight yards.
But the Dutch striker was ruled offside denying him his first league goal of the season.
Arbroath had the better chances at the start of the second half and were given a golden chance to take the lead.
Mark Ridgers had to save the day for Inverness when Michael McKenna was allowed a free header at goal as he headed Nicky Low's cross towards the net but the goalkeeper pulled off a great stop.
Minutes later Inverness took the lead in a counter attack as Sutherland picked up the ball at the halfway line and charged towards goal. He only had Derek Gatson to beat as he chipped past the goalkeeper for a terrific finish.
Arbroath pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Ridgers was alert to any danger as Inverness claimed victory.
