In the end a comfortable win but United had their chances. A little piece of history was created – this was the first time that Caley Thistle have beaten Dundee United in eight attempts. History may have been on United’s side but the woodwork proved to be a valuable twelfth man for ICT. Former home favourite Barry Robson was given a hard time by the fans – memories of a disputed penalty on the last day of 2004/05 had not faded and, when he hit the post twice and the bar once with headers, ironic cheers rang out.

Craig Brewster was forced to make changes due to injuries and he opted to leave himself on the bench. Rory McAllister and Alan Morgan made their first starts and the starting eleven also included Richie Hart, Russell Duncan and Dennis Wyness. United were virtually at full strength.

There was a dream start for the home side as Liam Fox took a Wyness pass in the second minute and neatly lobbed Derek Stillie from all of 30 yards. Lee Miller let fly at the other end in four minutes but he was wide of the target. Three minutes later Robson had a free header in the box but inexplicably hit the post. Stillie beat out a Barry Wilson shot in 13 minutes and Morgan’s follow-up went across the goal. On the half-hour mark Robson came close again but this time he headed onto the bar. Caley Thistle pushed for a second goal and it came five minutes before the break. A Wyness pass was chased down by Wilson but he was grounded as he rounded Stillie – a penalty was a possibility but Wilson headed on and managed to nudge the ball over the line.

Half Time: 2-0

United introduced Collin Samuel in the second half and his speed caused a few problems. The visitors had a good spell just after the interval and David Fernandez forced a diving save from Mark Brown in just 25 seconds. United did have the ball in the net a minute later but the flag was up. Brown held a Robson header in 53 minutes then a Fernandez on-target shot hit Samuel – the striker was offside anyway. The home side were rarely threatened and McAllister came close in 70 minutes. He headed the ball down in the box to give himself a clear shot but hit it over the bar. Mark Wilson sent in a cross from the right in 73 minutes and Robson’s header came back off the post – it was just not his day. Jim McIntyre made a good break through the middle in 77 minutes but somehow he hit it very wide. In the dying seconds a Hart low drive went just wide then a Duncan shot from 30 yards was saved by Stillie at the post.

Full Time: 2-0

A good result, a place in the quarter final draw, some fine performances and a few selection headaches for the manager as regular first team players come back to fitness.