Nick'd it!

Nick Ross, starting in place of the suspended Richie Foran scored his first goal for Caley Thistle in a scrappy match where neither keeper had much to do.

The points were won midway through the second half after Adam Rooney took the initial shot but it was parried and Nick was there to tap it in from inches. It may have been an ugly win, but it was a win !!!

Regardless, it was a vital win in the quest to catch League leaders Dundee.

Worst game ever might spring into people’s minds when ICT’s 1-0 win over Morton is mentioned. I have to say that the first half was the most boring half of football in history with the only action in the half was two shots off target from Lee Cox and Adam Rooney and a corner from Morton that nearly landed in the net. Nevertheless, the win was crucial in our bid to regain our SPL status as it brings us within three points of leaders Dundee and puts us three points ahead of local rivals Ross County, although Dundee have one and County, 2 games in hand over us.

The same line up that defeated Queen of the South 3-1 in midweek was fielded, apart from the suspended Richie Foran, who was replaced by youngster Nick Ross, a decision that proved a key decision by gaffer Terry Butcher at the final whistle.

The woeful first half had few high points and Lee Cox’s chance that he fired over was perhaps the best chance of the first half. Jonny Hayes began the move, robbing Kevin McKinlay, before sliding in for on-form Adam Rooney but his first touch took the ball away from him so he had to cut it back for Lee Cox, however, ex-Leicester man pinged his shot well over. A minute later ICT were on the break again, a long ball by veteran Stuart Golabek was held up in the wind leaving Rooney to try to lob Kevin Cuthbert in the Morton goal but the ball just dropped wide of the goal. The best “chance” for Morton came just a minute before half time a corner from Jim McAllister swirled in the wind before landing just wide of the ICT goal.

Half Time: ICT 0-0 Morton

It took an hour on the clock before the first chance of the second half came about. A curling shot from Jonny Hayes just went wide of the target. A corner from Hayes was headed over by Grant Munro just two minutes later. But finally, with twenty minutes to go, the first shot on target. A smashing through ball from Russell Duncan towards Rooney was ran onto well by the Irish striker, his low shot was parried by Cuthbert, but only as far as Nick Ross who calmly rolled in his first senior goal for ICT.

The goal finally gave Inverness some urgency in their play as they attempted to wrap up their victory and Eric Odhiambo was the instigator of a move that nearly lead to a goal, the attacking midfielder did well to round Cuthbert and cut the ball back to Duncan who could only watch as his shot was blazed over the bar.

The only Morton chance of the second half came with only four minutes to play. A long hit from Peter Weatherson was deflected by David Proctor and it was well saved by Ryan Esson to end a painful game to watch for both fans.

Full Time: ICT 1-0 Morton