STILL IN THERE FIGHTING
There’s zero to separate Prem hopefuls as they set up big Friday night decider
IT was the clash of the Championship’s topscoring teams this season, semi-final foes both holding the kind of firepower to book a play-off final place.
Inevitably then, Caley Thistle and Arbroath conspired to produce a scoreless draw in the first leg, leaving it all to play for in the second leg at Gayfield on Friday night.
It is a venue where Inverness have won once and drawn once this season, with Hibs the only other side to triumph at Gayfield.
Now Caley Thistle need to do it all again to keep their Premiership dream alive.
Gaffer Billy Dodds admitted both sides had one eye on that second leg.
He said: “We had the better chances but it was like we wanted this first leg to be over. Let’s get to Friday and see who wins it.
“I would have loved to have taken an advantage into the game but it was not to be. We’re in there and pitching.”
Dick Campbell’s side continue on their unlikely adventure but they rode their luck through the first part of the second half with Caley looking more threatening.
However, Arbroath started quickest and took only four minutes to muster a threat, with Scott Stewart sending a shot off Danny Devine’s leg for a corner.
Gradually, Dodds’ side began to settle and pose a threat of their own, with Shane Sutherland’s dangerous ball towards Austin Samuels deflecting for a corner.
Samuels, the matchwinning hero in both legs against Partick Thistle in the play-off quarter-final, was beginning to trouble the Red Lichties with his pace.
After 37 minutes, his terrific run ended with a fierce ball towards the sixyard box proving just too powerful for Billy McKay to react and divert goalward.
Moments later, the hosts were desperately unlucky not to take the lead when Dundee United loanee Logan Chalmers struck a sweet attempt against the bar from 25 yards.
Arbroath mustered a close call of their own soon after in a tight contest.
Referee Euan Anderson angered the home contingent by failing to blow for an earlier foul and, from an Arbroath free-kick, Nicky Low swerved in a terrific free-kick.
The ball was heading inside the near post but keeper Mark Ridgers reacted to push the ball to safety.
There was better from the Caley Jags eight minutes into the second period.
David Carson’s slipped pass to Reece McAlear was met with an instant tee-up for Chalmers who hesitated just a second too long, allowing Jason Thomson to block.
A rapid counter-attack by the home side – with defender Robbie Deas darting forward – ended with Chalmers wriggling past Colin Hamilton on the right side of the area but curling his attempt wide.
Then Arbroath keeper Derek Gaston showed brilliant reflexes to turn a Samuels attempt beyond the far post from a tight angle.
The chances kept coming and Inverness sub Aaron Doran volleyed just over.
Dodds’ men kept knocking at the door and Samuels took a ball on his chest six yards out but had it nicked from his toes among a ruck of maroon defenders.
A clash between McAlear and Thomas O’Brien sparked a melee late on but both sides appeared to accept the draw.
Red Lichties boss Campbell said: “We were definitely stronger in the first half.
“We’ll have a bigger crowd on Friday than they got here. It’ll be a great occasion.”