Caley Thistle continued their crusade to reach the finals of both major cup competitions by avoiding a shock defeat to lower league Stranraer at the Caledonian Stadium last night.
The pitch passed two inspections after incessant rain in the Highland capital as Nick Ross and Aaron Doran netted in the Scottish Cup fifth round replay tie to set up a mouthwatering home quarter-final against Dundee United.
The clubs met in a tempestuous League Cup last eight tie last October in which Inverness claimed a 2-1 extra-time victory after United’s Nadir Ciftci had been sent off.
Inverness produced an amazing display to reach the League Cup final by defeating Hearts at Easter Road on penalties and have ambitions to do the same in the Scottish Cup.
The Highland capital club took one step further towards that aim last night and with Aberdeen, St Johnstone and United the remaining top flight teams in the competition look to have a great chance to reach the latter stages.
League 1 Stranraer had already put Ross County out of the League Cup but there was to be no repeat against Inverness. It was the Highland club’s first victory on home turf since manager John Hughes was appointed in early December after Aberdeen, Celtic, Ross County, Dundee United and Hearts all left the Highland capital with at least a point.
The manager had warned Stranraer would be no pushovers after holding Inverness to a 2-2 stalemate at Stair Park earlier this month. Ross netted in the third minute, but the Stair Park men were far from mere observers and held their own in the opening period.
Greg Tansey and Graeme Shinnie both went close for the Caley Jags, but Dean Brill was tested by Sean Winter before the break.
Inverness continued to press in the second half and McKay had the ball in the net but his effort was ruled out for off-side. Stranraer midfielder Steven Bell almost snatched an equaliser with a brilliant long-range shot, but Brill saved. Replacement Doran settled it with a 90th minute shot from distance.