The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Smith strikes to send holders crashing out
IRN-BRU CUP: Pars boss hails his young side as they work hard for win
INVERNESS CT 1 DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC 2
Teenager Callum Smith was Dunfermline’s hero in the Highlands after clinching victory in a smash-andgrab raid by the fortunate Fifers.
The Pars had to survive a second half battering from the hosts but stood strong to seal their place in the next round of the Irn-bru Cup.
Holders Inverness, cup final victors against Dumbarton earlier in the year, were sent packing despite pummelling the visitors at times.
Pars boss Allan Johnston hailed the efforts of his makeshift side, stressing: “We’re delighted. It was a young team tonight but I thought the attitude was brilliant.
“The whole side worked hard for each other despite being under pressure for large period of the second half.
“We dug-in and scored an excellent goal at the very end.
“You look at Callum Smith running from the half-way line to score the winning goal and it just shows you the desire and the fitness levels too. I’m delighted for my players.”
Caley Thistle opened brightly and Liam Polworth’s early free-kick had teenager Daniel Mackay sending a header wide.
The Pars went ahead in 23 minutes. They won a penalty when Brad Mckay
“We’re delighted. It was a young team tonight but I thought the attitude was brilliant. ALLAN JOHNSTON
was adjudged to have fouled Andy Ryan inside the penalty area.
Captain for the night Kallum Higginbotham stepped up and put the ball past a rooted Hoban.
Dunfermline started the second half on the front foot and, two minutes after the restart, Andy Ryan’s shot could only be parried by Hoban before being cleared.
Home manager John Robertson made a double substitution with George Oakley and Tom Walsh coming on for Mackay and Trafford.
Walsh made an instant impact with a dangerous cross cleared for a corner before Jordan White headed wide.
The home dominance was finally rewarded as ex-pars man White levelled with his first goal for the club he joined from Barrow in the summer.
Ricky Calder’s cross was met perfectly for a strong finish past Dunfermline keeper Cameron Gill.
Caley Thistle pressed for a winner and Tom Walsh went close with a low drive from outside box after 66 minutes.
Dunfermline’s luck and resilience was rewarded with three minutes left as Andy Ryan’s cross was tucked away by Callum Smith from four yards after a tremendous run from the youngster.
Referee: Alan Muir .
Attendance: 1,046.
Inverness CT: Hoban, Rooney, Mccart, Mckay, Calder, Welsh, Trafford (Walsh 54), Polworth, Doran, Mackay (Oakley 54), White. Subs: C Mackay, Brown, Harper, Fyffe, Kennedy.
Dunfermline: Cameron Gill, Allan, Luke, Morrison, Beadling (Jordon 63), Todd, Higginbotham, Connolly, Ryan, Smith (Robertson 90), Mccann. Subs: Burt, Swanson, Crosbie, Brown, Sawers.