Caley boost their play-off hopes as Allan debuts for the Highlanders

NEIL McCANN’S INVERNESS enhanced their play-off chances with a 1-0 win over second-bottom ARBROATH.

The Highlanders, who gave Hibs loan star Scott Allan a second-half debut, had Nikolay Todorov’s 69th-minute header to thank for their third consecutive league win. ‘I’m proud of the boys because they’ve had nine games in a month,’ said McCann, whose side are now level on points with fourth place Dunfermline but have played two games more. ‘It’s been a tremendous demand on their bodies physically but also mentally. You can see they were tired. I had a wee go at half-time to ask for more and they did that.’ Second-place RAITH ended a four-game winless run after beating third-bottom MORTON 1-0. Jamie Gullan struck the winner in the 81st minute to put Rovers within 13 points of leaders Hearts. Rovers boss John McGlynn said: ‘It was a massive three points and got us back to winning ways.’ ALLOA remain rooted to the bottom after a 2-2 draw with AYR at the Indodrill Stadium. Tom Walsh sent Ayr in front after 15 minutes but Innes Cameron levelled for the Wasps on the half-hour mark. Lucas Williamson fired Alloa into the lead shortly after the break. However, Ayr secured a point when Jon Robertson put the ball into his own net from Luke McCowan’s cross in the 76th minute.