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The spell is broken A blistering start by Inverness put them on their way to a first win in 12 starts. Goals from Shane Sutherland and Reece McAlear set them on their way inside eleven minutes. Billy Mckay sclaffed in a third with twenty minutes to go and there was no way back for Arbroath who lost ground at the top of the table with Dick Campbell sent to the stands. As Partick Thistle lost to Morton, we closed the gap to two points behind them with Raith still one point behind us. Away to Rovers next week. That's a massive game now as both sides chase a play-off spot. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Inverness were without Allardice and MacGregor but Tom Walsh made the bench and Cammy Mackay continued in goal. Without a win over the last eleven games, it was a pleasant surprise to see Shane Sutherland bundle the ball in after a corner was prodded down to him almost on the goal line. Great start for the hosts but a bit shoddy from the visitors as Aaron Doran's inswinging corner was knocked down by Billy Mckay from waist high three yards out The second goal was well constructed by Sutherland and Carson who played a lovely one two on the right side before Carson slid a low ball into Reece McAlear. He took a touch and drilled the ball wide of Gaston who was probably unsighted and into the unguarded side of the goal. Arbroath hit back and Cammy Mackay was fortunate when he appeared to guide a low shot from McKenna wide. It bounced off the base of the post and was missed by the incoming Jack Hamilton and Danny Devine before being cleared by Sean Welsh Despite leading 2-0, Arbroath had plenty of possession but our defence were working well as a unit, and thus restricted the visitors to very few opportunities. Furthermore, we seemed intent on shelling cloudbursting balls forward to a couple of vertically challenged personnel in Billy Mckay and Joe Hardy. Half Time: 2-0 Into the second period and Sean Welsh passed up a tremendous chance to make it three. Great work down the right saw Sutherland, Mckay and Hardy combine to set up Welsh twelve yards out. He took a touch then volleyed just over the bar when he really should have scored. Undaunted, we scored a third when Sutherland lofted a ball onto the edge of the box and Billy Mckay held off the defenders to dribble a left footer into the bottom corner. Good goal or sclaff? It mattered not but that was the one that took the wind out of the Smokies sails. Thereafter we saw out the game without too much hassle over the last twenty minutes with Tom Walsh getting a run out and he looked composed which helped take the sting out of Arbroath. I said to my grandkid's "that was an emphatic win" At only seven years old, Ava said "granda, what does win mean?" Yes, it's been a long time coming. Shane Sutherland was the MotM with Reece McAlear, Billy Mckay and David Carson helping the cause more than most and another confident performance from Cammy Mackay in goal. Good to see Walsh looking lively when he entered the fray. Another massive game next week in the context of trying to gain a play off place as we visit Starks Park. The table shows how tight it is for the final slot. Pos Team Pld W D L F A Pts 1. Kilmarnock 29 16 5 8 39 20 53 2. Arbroath 29 13 12 4 40 22 51 3. Partick Thistle 28 12 9 7 41 26 45 4. Inverness CT 29 11 10 8 38 27 43 5. Raith Rovers 29 10 12 7 35 34 42 6. Morton 29 8 10 11 32 39 34 7. Ayr United 29 8 8 13 30 43 32 8. Hamilton Ac. 29 7 11 11 31 45 32 9. Q.O.S. 29 6 8 15 29 42 26 10. Dunfermline 28 4 13 11 26 43 25 From BBC Sport Inverness CT manager Billy Dodds: "We knew it was an important game. We knew Arbroath were fighting to go top and they scrap for everything. "We've been rewarded for the last couple of weeks' hard work. I'm delighted for the defence. Absolutely rock solid. We took our chances. Hopefully that's the base we can work from to go and get in the promotion play-offs." Arbroath goalkeeping coach Rab Douglas: "It definitely didn't happen today. All credit to Inverness. Disappointing for us. We probably weren't at the races. We were just off it. "We're delighted to be in the mix, Arbroath are part-time as everybody knows. We'll have two home games [against Ayr United and Arbroath] and see how results go. We'll just keep going." Date: 12/03/2022 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2149 Referee: Euan Anderson Inverness CT: 3 Manager: Billy Dodds Lineup: C Mackay; Carson, Broadfoot (Duffy 59), Devine, Deas, Hardy (Walsh 72), Welsh, McAlear, Doran (Harper 60), Sutherland, B Mckay (Pearson 84) Subs (not used): Ridgers; Hyde, Samuels, Chalmers Scorers: Sutherland (5), McAlear (11), Mckay (68) Booked: Doran (55), Carson (90+3) Sent Off: none Arbroath: 0 Manager: Dick Campbell Lineup: Gaston; Stewart (Craigen 68), O'Brien, Little, Colin Hamilton, Chris Hamilton (Ford 74), Thomson, Gold (Low 68), McKenna (Linn 68), Wighton (Bakare 68), Jack Hamilton Subs (not used): Antell; Hilson, Donnelly Scorers: none Booked: Hamilton (42), O'Brien (55) Thomson (87) Sent Off: none a