INVERNESS CT 2 Shaw (6, 87)
AYR UNITED 2
McKenzie (66), Akinyemi (82)
Billy Dodds last night raised fears that the SPFL’s “embarrassing” refusal to allow a recall of Caley Thistle’s young loan players could damage fledgling careers.
Speaking after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Championship leaders Ayr United, the Caley Jags manager turned focussed on his injuryravaged squad – and a failed plea to the authorities.
With nine potential starters crocked, Dodds has had to lean on schoolboys Matthew Strachan, Calum MacKay and Aaron Nicolson to part-fill his bench. Aly Riddle, Robbie Thompson, Ethan Cairns and Harry Hennem are loaned until the January window at Highland clubs.
Dodds said: “This is the worst I have seen an injury situation in 37 years since I was a schoolboy going to Chelsea.
“I have never seen it so bad. We have eight, nine, 10 missing.
“Every one of them would be pushing for a start if not starting.
“Then we ask the SPFL to allow us to bring back our loan players from Highland League clubs and they say ‘no’.
“So the young boys have to go on the bench. That can’t be good for their health, or mentality.
“It’s pretty embarrassing, to be honest.”
There was an evident fire in the bellies of Dodds’ men after recent criticism and it manifested in a sixthminute opener.
Cammy Harper’s measured ball was chipped through and young summer signing Nathan Shaw raced on to it, showing composure to glide past Charlie Albinson and cut the finish just inside the post.
The equaliser came from a sweeping Ayr counterattack after 66 minutes.
Sub Logan Chalmers’ searing run on the right was followed by a dinked cross. Wallace Duffy managed to knock Dipo Akinyemi’s initial contact off the line but Mark McKenzie made no mistake on the rebound.
Ayr struck again with eight minutes left. Alex Kirk’s long header forward set Akinyemi free to slam home the second.
Facing a possible nine points gap on the leaders, Caley Jags responded and Shaw cut a fine low finish in from 10 yards on 87 minutes.
Ayr manager Lee Bullen said: “There are a few frustrated players in our camp, but this is a difficult place to come and take full points for anybody.”