Binos in a spot of bother
InvernessmakeAlbionpaythepenalty
Stirling Albion ...0 Inverness CT ...... 0
Inverness win 2-0 on pens Stirling Albion put in a determined display to shut out their Championship opponents in Tuesday night’s Betfred Cup tie – but finally succumbed in a penalty shoot-out.
On a balmy evening at Forthbank, Dave Mackay’s men produced a performance to be proud of before losing 2-0 in a remarkable shoot-out that saw six of the eight kicks missed, including all four of Stirling’s efforts.
Only Callumn Morrison managed to hit the target but Mark Ridgers pulled off a terrific save, while Sean Dickson, Darren Smith and Connor McMullan all sent their kicks over or wide.
Inverness also failed to initially trouble Cammy Binnie as John Baird and Joe Chalmers fluffed their lines, but Liam Polworth and Iain Vigurs converted to earn John Robertson’s men the bonus point.
It is the lowest scoring penalty decider in Scottish football history but it’s not the first time Albion have fired blanks in a shoot-out - they lost a League Cup tie 3-0 at Tannadice in August 1998 after a 2-2 draw.
Incredibly, Stirling also hold the record for the highest-scoring shootout in this country, having beaten Hurlford United 13-12 after a 2-2 draw in a Scottish Cup replay at Forthbank in November 2014.
Albion went into the game on the back of a 4-1 defeat at Falkirk, which was even worse than the score suggests, and Binos boss Mackay made three changes.
Lee Hamilton, Andy Black and Morrison replaced Scott Davidson, Liam Caddis and Ross Kavanagh.
Inverness kicked off in Group A with a 3-0 home win over Brechin City and were unchanged.
The teams have only ever once been in the same division, in 1998/99, although there was a recent Scottish Cup encounter in 2015/16.
On that occasion it finished 0-0, before ICT won the televised replay 2-0, and Albion again rose to the challenge against a team expected to push for an immediate return to the Premiership.
Caley Thistle enjoyed long spells of possession but didn’t carve out that many clear-cut chances in the first half.
Polworth saw a low drive well saved and George Oakley hit the side netting after Ross McGeachie had forced an early intervention from Ridgers at the other end.
Albion’s desire and work rate were key and they frustrated the visitors but as the game wore on it looked as if the increasing pressure might tell.
Inverness had the ball in the net in 73 minutes but referee Mike Roncone had spotted an infringement and the goal was ruled out, then Vigurs’ shot was too straight and Binnie gathered.
In their desperation to find a winner, Inverness were almost caught on the break. Morrison got clear on the right but his finish was hurried and wild when the better option would have been to pick out Smith in the middle.
There was still time for Smith to create another opening but the ball was scrambled clear and Albion’s composure disappeared at the penalties.
A point was more than most would have anticipated and the performance should give the team real belief for the remaining matches at Forfar on Saturday and at home to Brechin on Tuesday.