Warren’s winner angers Blue Brazil
PREMIERSHIP side Inverness Caley Thistle had to battle to get all three points from this Betfred tie with League 2 outfit Cowdenbeath.
Caley had a lot of the ball and struck the woodwork several times.
However, the plucky Fife hosts never gave up – and it took a controversial decision to give Inverness the result they needed.
Happy visiting boss Richie Foran said: “It was an awkward game and we had to work really hard to get this result.
“We were strong in key areas and it was in midfield that we took a grip of things.
“We created several good chances and got the win I felt we deserved.”
Cowden manager Liam Fox saw a lot of positives, commenting: “I was always going to be hard work for us against a Premiership side.
“However, we battled hard in every department and created a few decent chances.
“For the most part, we defended superbly.”
Cowden came close early on and good work by Kris Renton looked to have set up Chris Turner on the edge of the box but Gary Warren put in a timely challenge.
With 11 minutes played, Caley struck the Cowdenbeath bar when Vigurs latched on to a Tremarco cross and his header cannoned down and the ball was cleared.
But, two minutes later, the Premiership side took the lead when Scott Boden cut the ball back in the middle of the Cowdenbeath box and Ross Draper fired low into the next from 10 yards.
The Blue Brazil levelled 10 minutes later.
Lewis Moore held off Caley defenders and his pass set up Dean Brett 12 yards out. He put his low shot well wide of the diving Ryan Esson.
Vigurs came close again in 32 minutes with a raking 25-yard free-kick which McGurn palmed on to the underside of the bar. Then, a minute later, his header then hit the underneath of the Cowden bar but the ball again stayed out.
Cowden went on the attack at the start of the second half and Brett’s 22 yarder went inches wide.
But, at the other end, McGurn made a fine save from Boden’s header after a spell of Caley pressure.
Thistle had a lot of the ball but were struggling to create chances.
However, they went in front in controversial fashion with 15 minutes left.
Vigurs’ corner was met by Gary Warren and his header hit the bar but seemed to stay out. However, the assistant signalled the ball had crossed the line.