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Never in doubt! Caley Jags secured League1 status after thrashing Arbroath 3-0 whilst Dumbarton dump Annan 3-1. This result was never in doubt after goals from Keith Bray with a header, a Paul Allan penalty...just, and a superb strike from Billy McKay just after the break coupled with Annan's defeat ensured that we'll be back next season, bigger, better and with less points deducted in League1. What a transformation after the shambles of a club we were left with during the reign of incompetence and administration before that was replaced with Scott Kellacher and the stability from Alan Savage, or as he will forever be known as Alan Salvage. Statue on order for Scott Kellacher and Alan Salvage! FULL TIME: 3-0 When it really mattered, Inverness took the bull by the horns from the off to record an emphatic win over Championship bound Arbroath, who made another eight changes this week after last weeks below the belt tactic against Annan. This week it was the full nine yards but they were quickly undressed by an eager to please home side who took the lead when Keith Bray headed in a deep angled cross from the industrious Ben Brannan. The keeper did get a hand to the powerful header but could only palm it up into the net. What a start for the Caley Jags! Ten minutes later a spritely looking Billy Mckay almost added a second when his effort from inside the box was pulled just wide of goal. After twenty minutes and with Inverness looking sharp, Paul Allan slipped Billy into the left side of the box where he was unceremoniously upended by the keeper as he rounded him. Paul Allan took the spot kick and we held our breath for a couple of seconds as the ball spun away from Aidan McAdams and trickled into the net just out of his grasp. No more than we deserved at this point, although the keeper might wonder why he got his hands on both efforts but failed to keep the ball out on each occasion. I'll call it Karma! Another chance fell to Mckay when he went into the left side but this time McAdams made a fine save to deny a third goal as the striker shot across him. Alfie Stewart had a shot saved soon after as our domination continued and just on the break he fired a powerful effort over the bar. HALF TIME: 2-0 Not everyone was back in their seats at the start of the second half in time to see Billy Mckay score the best goal of the game when he received the ball left of centre inside the box. It all stemmed from a long throw in by Ben Brannan. Three or four headers later Charlie Gilmour put his head on the chopping block to nod the ball towards Billy who took one touch before curling a beauty round the defenders and into the net with power. Tremendous goal from Lazarus Mckay who came good at the right time. Game over and to be honest that killed the game as a spectacle as the last forty minutes were played out at walking pace as both sides were content with their lot. It was maybe dedicated to the Duncball era as the ball seldom went forward and any chance of another goal seemed unlikely. Maybe that's why we had a couple of youngsters entering the field of play to break the now tedious patterns of play. Who cared, we only had to wait for the fire alarm delayed ending to the Dumbarton v Annan game. When it arrived it was joy all round with the Sons winning 3-1 to end Annan's hopes of avoiding the play off and confirmed our status as a League1 team for next season (-5 points) FULL TIME 3-0 Trevor Matin's photo catches the moment we knew it was all over as the final whistle went at the Rock. What an achievement after all the adversity throughout the season. Look at the joy on these young faces. Well done to everyone who made this possible. Scott Kellacher has been a breath of fresh air this season and although it was not all plain sailing, we came good when it mattered. Loan players have come in to help out and have been brilliant. Take a bow Bavidge, Stewart and Brannan. Our own youngsters have played their part as well and Billy Mckay started scoring again when it mattered most. Pos Team Pld Gd Pts 1 Arbroath 35 16 63 2 Cove Rangers 35 16 54 3 Queen of Sth 35 5 54 4 Alloa Athletic 35 9 51 5 Stenny 35 2 50 6 Kelty Hearts 35 -7 41 7 Inverness CT 35 5 40 8 Montrose 35 -7 40 9 Annan Athletic 35 -25 36 10 Dumbarton 35 -14 20 Date: 26/04/2025 Venue: Caledonian Stadium Attendance: 2329 Referee: Gary Hanvidge Inverness CT: 3 Manager: Scott Kellacher Lineup: Gill; Brannan, Devine, Savage, Strachan (Nolan 75), Bray (Keogh (92)), Gilmour, MacLeod, Allan (Gardiner (92)), Stewart (Longstaff 81), B Mckay (Cairns 92) Subs (not used): Rebilas; J Walker, Ewan, R Thompson Scorers: Bray (6), Allan (24 pen), B Mckay (47) Booked: Strachan (37) Sent Off: none Arbroath FC: 0 Manager: Colin Hamilton/David Gold Lineup: McAdams; Penman (Reilly 56), Muirhead, O'Brien, Wilkie, Flynn, Stanton, Stewart, Taylor, Dow (Murray 76), Winter Subs (not used): McConnell; Gallagher, Gold, King, Spalding, Steele Scorers: none Booked: Dow (73) Sent Off: none a