Cheated out of three points

Down to the nitty gritty today in the late televised kick-off at Ochilview and there really was nowhere to hide now as the Caley Jags faced a relentless Warriors side who are unbeaten in their last fifteen home games ahead of this 'virtual' title decider. Not quite a winner takes all encounter, but it would hand a crucial advantage to the victor, although a draw keeps the title battle going to the wire. With the Warriors hitting the top of the table last week their confidence was high, and rightly so with the current Manager of the Month Gary Naysmith leading the squad. On the other hand, we were reeling after an error strewn performance in the KDM Trophy final last Sunday. Would Scott Kellacher be able to put the belief back into our beleaguered squad to resurrect our promotion bid? Would we have the balls to go for the win or will we be sitting in and hoping for a point? It's not worked out well so far this season with Stenny having two league wins and a draw. Our only success was in the KDM with a tight 1-0 win.

Well, the short answer, the status quo has been maintained after Stenhousemuir were awarded a 'penalty' lifeline when someone threw himself to the ground as he fell over Devine in the box. No contact, no penalty. WTAF. Calum MacLeod had given the visitors a first half lead pouncing on a loose ball at the back post. However, once again we paid the price for not putting the game to bed when well on top.

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Danny Devine, David Wotherspoon, and Calum MacLeod all started with Liam Sole, Oscar MacIntyre and Joe Chalmers benched and Chanka Zimba suspended. The Warriors looked to have a full strength squad out today with a dangerous attacking handful on from the start.

Stenhousemuir had the wind behind them in the first half and the first effort fell to Ross Taylor in the opening moments but he smothered his shot and Ross Munro gathered easily Calum MacLeod had similar effort at the other end but his sclaffed shot was blocked. An Alfie Stewart free kick was a bit ambitious from thirty yards as the keeper collected with ease, but moments later Jordan Alonge should have opened the scoring off a long ball into the box but his glanced effort rolled wide. Inverness' early pressure paid off after fifteen minutes when a free kick swung in by Stewart was met by Mitchell Robertson. His header to the bottom corner was brilliantly saved by Jamieson but MacLeod was on hand to knock the loose ball in from close range. On a swift break forward Taylor brought out a good low save from Munro, who gathered at the second attempt. Ritchie-Hosler won a corner after the half hour as his shot was deflected wide as the hosts came more into the game. Brilliant work wide left by Wotherspoon to make space and get his cross in and a stooping Alfie Bavidge knocked the ball across the face of the goal but just wide of the target. Just on half time a couple of balls shelled into our box were mopped up by the defence and the Caley Jags went into the interval a goal to the good.

HALF TIME: 0-1

A snapshot from Wotherspoon had Darren Jamieson scampering across his goal to tip the ball behind for an early second half corner to no avail. Almost a superb goal for Alonge as his shot curled towards the top corner off the outside of his boot but Jamieson pulled off a tremendous fingertip save to tip it over for corner. From the corner the keeper had to look lively to snatch the ball away from danger. Bavidge cut in from the left side but Jamieson was alert to the danger to pull off a decent TV save. The visitors were on top as we passed the hour, but we needed to capitalise on our dominance. We've seen this scenario before. And it almost happened but for a superb block by Ross Munro in the box as Ross Taylor looked favourite to score, the keeper shutting him down rapidly. From the corner we had Devine to thank for hooking the ball away from the line as the hosts pushed for a leveller. Stenny had kept us at bay in the third quarter of the game and they gradually got to grips with the game again. A ball into the box from the right was bobbled about and Devine went to ground. Whilst lying face down on the ground the referee somehow awarded Stenny a penalty as Anderson possibly left his feet against Devine to theatrically hit the turf. In my book it's called cheating. Penalty given and Matty Aitken who had spent most of the game arm wrestling with Remi Savage slotted into the bottom corner. What an injustice and a familiar sight for Inverness fans to watch the team not put games to bed when on top. A Bavidge half volley was tipped over by Jamieson as the clock ticked down and a couple of scares at either end but despite a frantic finish, nobody could find a winner.

FULL TIME: 1-1

Date:  11/04/2026  Venue: Ochilview Park Attendance: 1096 Referee: Cameron Stirling
 
Stenhousemuir: 1

• Manager: Gary Naysmith

• Lineup: D Jamieson; Meechan, Buchanan, N Jamieson, Bilham (O'Reilly 46), Anderson,

• McGil (Grant 78), Whyte (Gray 78), Taylor, Aitken, Ritchie-Hosler (Carrick 66)

• Subs (not used):  Lyle; Ewen, Graham, Robson, Cameron

• Scorers: Aitken (81pen)

• Booked: Bilham (9)

• Sent Off: none

Inverness CT: 1

• Manager: Scott Kellacher

• Lineup:  Munro; Millen, Devine, Savage, Robertson, Allan, MacLeod, Wotherspoon,

• Stewart (Brannan 96), Alonge, Bavidge (Sole 88)

• Subs (not used): Ross; Clark, MacIntyre, Chalmers, Longstaff, Willox, Mackinnon

• Scorers: MacLeod (16)

• Booked: Millen (8), Stewart (25), Allan (45+1), Devine (83), Bavidge (85)

• Sent Off: none