Replay required after cup stalemate



Inverness and St Mirren have it all to do again after a 1-1 draw at the first time of asking left the clubs looking at a replay this Tuesday night at Inverness. The Buddies opened the scoring after 17 minutes when Marc McAusland scored from close range. Inverness upped their game after the break and they deservedly equalised through Josh Meekings who fired home through a ruck of players.

St Mirren had a boost prior to kick off with the news that Steven Thomson was fit enough to start along with John McGinn and Isaac Osbourne. Alas, not even that was enough to entice the Paisley fans away from the Xmas shopping as less than 2000 turned up to watch shot-shy Saints take on high flying Inverness.

Inverness were without the suspended duo of Greg Tansey and on form Marley Watkins. Nick Ross surprisingly got the nod ahead of Aaron Doran and Ross Draper returned after suspension. Talking to the press seems to work then.

It was a low key opening to the game but that changed after seventeen minutes when McAusland scored. Inverness never dealt convincingly with a corner and the ball was cut back by Jason Naismith to McAusland who turned and fired home from close range. A novelty for the Buddies fans this season, some just staring in disbelief before they realised just what they had accomplished.

Inverness tried to respond but Billy McKay shot just wide from outside the box. Kenny McLean did likewise at the other end some ten minutes later as The Mirren looked to add to their lead.

Ross Draper headed narrowly wide from a corner as Inverness looked to get back on level terms before the break and his next action was a booking right on half time for fouling.

A poor forty five all round and not enough effort being put in by the visitors as they struggled to make much headway.

Half Time 1-0

The half time pep talk seemed to add a bit more urgency to Inverness but not before Brill was forced to make a save from Thomson's shot that was heading for the keepers right corner.

Christie was starting to threaten and he shot wide from outside the box as Inverness asserted themselves on the game. David Raven was next up and he missed the target as well, but a goal was coming as St Mirren found themselves penned in for long spells.

McKay shot over from a free kick and Danny Williams tested Ridgers as the pressure mounted. However, the goal came from an unlikely source. Josh Meekings has netted twice already this season and he notched his third after St Mirren lived dangerously from a corner. Tom, Dick and Harry had a go but it was Meekings who delivered, driving the ball through bodies from around 12 yards to level the tie.

Raven had a defenders attempt that sailed over and substitute Aaron Doran fared no better. McKay and Christie ended the off target  shooting as Inverness finished the game well on top, but unable to find the quality or finesse to get the winner.

The game petered out and both sides will be pleased to enter the draw for the fifth round. I suspect Inverness will be the happier of the two though as St Mirren will be heading North in midweek for a tie that will only cost £15 to watch.

Full Time 1-1

Overall a fair enough result with neither side getting the clear cut chances to bury the tie. St Mirren were rarely seen as an attacking force after the break and Inverness deservedly equalised, so it's all to play for on Tuesday night. The good news for Inverness is that Watkins and Tansey will be back and that should make a difference.

MotM is going to Ross Draper. Just back from suspension and not afraid to put himself about. In fact he got his yellow just before the break and was content to take over the Ross Tokely villain role right up to the final whistle, so if it annoys the Paisley fans, then that's good enough for me.
 

Well done to Spartans FC who put out Morton with a last minute winner. They took care of Clyde in the previous round and a big draw would be just reward for their efforts. Dundee advanced at the expense of Aberdeen in the early kick off. Motherwell, Hamilton and Ross County also ended their interest in the cup, as did Brora and Bo'ness who shipped five by the Smokies.

Date: 29.11.2014 Venue: St Mirren Park, Paisley Attendance: 1957
Referee: Calum Murray
 
St Mirren: 1
Lineup: Ridgers, Naismith, McAusland, Kelly, Tesselaar, Reilly, Osbourne (Teale 80), McLean, McGinn (Drury 60), Thompson (Ball 74), Marwood
Subs (not used):  Kello, Brown, Caldwell, Baird
Scorers: McAusland (17)
Booked: none
Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 1
Lineup: Brill, Raven, Meekings, Warren, Shinnie, Draper, Williams, Christie, Ross (Doran 74), Vincent, McKay
Subs (not used):  Esson, Sekajja, Devine, Horner, Tremarco, Polworth
Scorers: Meekings (63)
Booked: Draper (45)
Sent Off: none