Caley Thistle head coach Billy Dodds cut a relieved figure after seeing his Championship side edge past League Two visitors Stirling Albion to reach round four of the Scottish Cup.
The 3-2 victory was ICT’s first win in seven games all in as they saw off in-form Stirling, who are just three points off top spot in their division.
Darren Young’s men marched ahead through a Dale Carrick header before Wallace Duffy quickly cancelled it out .
Defender Max Ram turned the tie in the hosts’ favour, but Carrick cashed in on a mistake to level on the cusp on half-time.
Aaron Doran toasted his 350th appearance in Inverness colours by netting the winner, taking his team into Monday’s draw.
Dodds admits his own team, two levels above their opponents, were below-par, despite getting through.
He said: “”We knew Stirling would be tough opponents. When you get momentum in football, I don’t care what division you’re in, you always believe you have a chance.
“I knew where we were as well. I told the boys to start quickly. If we could have got up to the pace like we did last week in the 2-2 draw against Ayr United then we felt Stirling might struggle to keep that fitness up, as a part-time team. A couple of their players had cramp near the end.
“Stirling were a credit to their manager, Darren Young, but we were miles off where we wanted them to be.”
Dodds, who was delighted to sign free agent right-back, ex-Newcastle United academy player Ryan Barrett, praised his side for finding a way to win.
He added: “I told the boys they have to look at themselves. I can tell them they are miles off and they should take responsibility, play at a pace and tempo, but we had none of those today.
“For nearly all of the team to have an off-day made it hard for us, but we have somewhere in our mindset, guts and determination.
“We kept going and we got the winner. It’s as simple as I am delighted we’re in the next round.”
Stirling manager Darren Young, meanwhile, was happy overall with the performance from his team in the Highlands.
He said: “We frustrated them for periods and scored a great opener.
“Dale Carrick has been outstanding for us all season.
“We lost a couple of poor goals, but the reaction was brilliant and Dale got us in even at half-time.
“The guys were happy and confident in how they performed and wanted more of the same in the second half.
“It was a poor goal to lose but there was a wee bit of quality there.
“We caused them a lot of problems after that, but it just wasn’t meant to be on the day.
“Overall, with the performance, I’m really proud and the fans showed their appreciation at the end.”
ICT’s attention turns fully now to next Saturday’s home league clash against title and promotion rivals Dundee, who are one point off top spot and five points ahead of the Highlanders.
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