Sharper Harper edges Caley out of danger
QUEEN’S PARK 0 INVERNESS CT 1 Harper (25) It is advantage Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the battle to avoid finishing in second-bottom spot and scrapping for survival via the play-offs after their 1-0 win over Queen’s Park at Hampden.
Cameron Harper’s first-half free-kick took the points north.
And the result sends Duncan Ferguson’s Highlanders two points clear of the Spiders with three games remaining.
The Caley boss said: “The objective was to get a win and we did that. It builds on beating Arbroath last weekend.
“And winning two games in a row in this league at this time of the season is massive.
“It could have been a bit more comfortable but the goal that won it from Cameron was a moment of real quality.
“Whilst we have won, it is not a case of job done yet. There is still work to do.”
In a bid to pep up his side after defeats from Morton and Dundee United, Queen’s head coach Callum Davidson handed attack-minded Celtic loanee Mackenzie Carse his first start.
The first chance fell to Jack Thomson after just 90 seconds, but his shot as deflected wide.
Inverness, who won 4-1 on their last visit to the National Stadium back in December, were missing James Carragher and Remmi Savage after they picked up injuries in the win over Arbroath last weekend.
But this didn’t stop the Highlanders creating danger early on.
They were awarded a 20-yard free-kick on 10 minutes after Jack Turner tripped Billy Mckay with Cammy Kerr
sending the dead ball a yard over Calum Ferrie’s bar.
Inverness took the lead on 25 minutes when they had better luck with a freekick after Carse blocked a shot and was penalised for handball 24 yards out. Harper stepped up and sent a delightful left-foot free-kick high into Ferrie’s net.
The visitors had the chance to double their lead eight minutes from the break when hesitation in the home defence
allowed a free-kick to reach Mckay, who sent a dipping shot over.
Just before the break, Cillian Sheridan knocked a pass down to Ruari Paton, who sent a shot from 20 yards just over Mark Ridgers’ goal.
The hosts began the second half positively and, after Ridgers had held a stinging Sheridan drive, the shot-stopper pulled off a fine save to keep out a curling effort from Turner, with half-time
substitute Stuart Mckinstry just off target from the loose ball.
Inverness were back on top midway through the half, and it was a surprise they did not add to their lead.
Paton looked set to lift Queen’s from their slumber with 15 minutes left as he accepted a flick from Liam Mcleish and made space for a shot only for his effort to be deflected
into the path of Ridgers. Mckay should have sealed an Inverness win on 78 minutes when he ran clear but Ferrie was able to use his legs to block.
Paton had two late chances to make the most of that reprieve. However, his first shot bounced into the arms of the waiting Ridgers, with his second meeting the same fate.
Queen’s boss Davidson said: “There was not a lot in the game, and it was a game of poor quality. We did not show the energy levels I know we have and that was disappointing.
“The important thing now is everyone at the club sticks together. There are still nine points to play for and in this league that is massive.”