Keeper Blair is the Binos hero
INVERNESS CT .................................................... 2 STIRLING ALBION .............................................. 2 (STIRLING WIN 3-2 ON PENALTIES)
Trips to the Highlands are proving popular this summer and Stirling certainly enjoyed their visit to the Caledonian Stadium on the shores of the Moray Firth on Saturday.
With up to 1000 home fans in attendance, Kevin Rutkiewicz’s side earned a well-deserved draw with their Championship opponents then prevailed in the shoot-out to make it five points from six in Premier Sports Cup Group A, following their opening-day success at Cove.
Albion led in the Highland capital thanks to first-half goals from Dylan Mackin and Kieran Moore but goals either side of the interval from Roddy MacGregor and Shane Sutherland hauled Billy Dodds’ men level.
Five of the 10 kicks in the shoot-out were missed and Blair Currie’s save from Shane Sutherland proved decisive. The former Clyde No 1 also denied Tom Walsh and David Carson sent his effort over the top.
Jack Leitch (saved) and Kyle Banner (crossbar) failed from 12 yards for the visitors but Dale Carrick, Nathan Flanagan and Rabin Omar all converted. Scott Allardice and Reece McAlear netted for ICT.
Unsurprisingly, Rutkiewicz fielded the same team who beat Cove 3-2 for the match against a Caley Thistle side who had defeated Peterhead 2-0 in their Group A opener on Tuesday.
Stirling had a good penalty shout for handball dismissed after just 30 seconds and were in front after less than four minutes.
Mackin got the goal with a superbly-struck free kick from around 25 yards – it was a perfectly judged left-foot strike from the forward and the ball went in off the underside of the bar.
Albion stunned their hosts by scoring again after 20 minutes. Nathan Flanagan played a clever ball in from the right, the defence couldn’t clear, and Moore pounced from close range.
Inverness were back in it just short of the halfhour mark when Manny Duku set up MacGregor and the highly-rated teenager scored with a cool finish low into the net from 15 yards.
ICT equalised early in the second period. Sutherland, so often the scourge of Stirling in his Elgin days, found the bottom corner with an almost casual finish from the edge of the area.
Most onlookers probably fancied Inverness to go on and complete the job but, although they had the bulk of possession, Stirling defended stoutly and didn’t give up too many opportunities.
Stirling Albion: Currie, Cummins (McGeachie 74), McNiff, McLean, McGregor, Laird (Banner 83), Moore (Heaver 89), Omar, Leitch, Flanagan, Mackin (Carrick 74). Subs not used: Law (GK), Roberts, Bikey.