INVERNESS CT 3
Curry (42), Trafford (65), Machado (89)
ALLOA ATHLETIC 0
Alloa boss Peter Grant refused to blame defender Nathan Gilhooly’s costly late first-half mistake for the Wasps’ Tunnock’s Carmel Wafer Challenge Cup exit at Caledonian Stadium.
Gilhooly gifted Mitch Curry the ball when he misjudged a square pass across his defence and then looked on in horror as the Caley Thistle hitman fired the home side in front three minutes from half-time.
Celtic legend Grant insisted: “The young man did tremendously well against two of the best wide players in the league.
“But he got punished for one error, and that shows you the different levels when you come up and what people are capable of if you make a mistake.
“The timing obviously wasn’t great, but I thought we showed a lot of good stuff and created as much as Inverness did.”
Inverness assistant manager Scott Kellachar added: “It took us a while to get into the game but in the second half it was a far different performance and we controlled the game.
“To get three goals and keep a clean sheet, you have to be delighted with that.”
Charlie Trafford and substitute Matheus Machado, with a late strike, added to Inverness’ tally.
Following Curry’s first-half strike, Trafford made it two in 65 minutes. Cameron Harper did the spade work to set up the Canadian international who beat Jamie Macdonald from 25 yards.
But Inverness were reminded that the Wasps were still a threat with Alan Trouten and Andy Graham having late chances.
However, with two minutes remaining, Machado steered home from close range to seal the success.
STAR MAN: JAMIE MACDONALD made several important stops including a fine save from Aaron Doran.