Ross County rescue replay from Scottish Cup derby
Ross County 2 (Stewart, Mullin)
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 (Doran, Mckay)
Another late Highland derby goal rescued a draw for Ross County as they preserved their Scottish Cup status against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
County started brightly, trying to get on the first foot and put Inverness under pressure from the off.
But it would be the visitors who would take the lead through Aaron Doran after 14 minutes.
The Irishman received the ball from Carl Tremarco, and all he need was one touch to turn and set himself before thumping the ball into the bottom corner – beating Scott Fox at the near post – from 20 yards.
Caley Thistle then took control of the match in the aftermath of the goal, keeping possession and making it difficult for County to get up the park.
Michael Gardyne would be a constant thorn in the ICT defenders’ sides though, and he had the Staggies’ best chance of the half.
Kenny van der Weg chipped the ball into the box, where Bran Graham threaded a headed pass through to the on-rushing Gardyne in space.
County’s number seven got the ball under control, but on his weaker foot could not generate the necessary power to beat Mark Ridgers from close range.
Inverness would respond immediately, going up the other end where Tom Walsh had space on the edge of the box and unleashed a shot that looked destined for the top corner until Scott Fox got a strong hand to the ball to divert it away from the net.
Half time would give the Staggies a chance to regroup, and they quickly found an equaliser after the restart.
A period of end to end play resulted in a lot of space for both teams, but it was Gardyne who charged forward and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Ross Stewart – who had only come on as a substitute a couple of minutes earlier – to convert from close range.
But the lead would only last until just after the hour mark, when Liam Polworth’s corner evaded everyone at the near post and left Brad Mckay with a tap in to restore ICT’s lead.
County started brightly, trying to get on the first foot and put Inverness under pressure from the off.
But it would be the visitors who would take the lead through Aaron Doran after 14 minutes.
The Irishman received the ball from Carl Tremarco, and all he need was one touch to turn and set himself before thumping the ball into the bottom corner – beating Scott Fox at the near post – from 20 yards.
Caley Thistle then took control of the match in the aftermath of the goal, keeping possession and making it difficult for County to get up the park.
Michael Gardyne would be a constant thorn in the ICT defenders’ sides though, and he had the Staggies’ best chance of the half.
Kenny van der Weg chipped the ball into the box, where Bran Graham threaded a headed pass through to the on-rushing Gardyne in space.
County’s number seven got the ball under control, but on his weaker foot could not generate the necessary power to beat Mark Ridgers from close range.
Inverness would respond immediately, going up the other end where Tom Walsh had space on the edge of the box and unleashed a shot that looked destined for the top corner until Scott Fox got a strong hand to the ball to divert it away from the net.
Half time would give the Staggies a chance to regroup, and they quickly found an equaliser after the restart.
A period of end to end play resulted in a lot of space for both teams, but it was Gardyne who charged forward and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Ross Stewart – who had only come on as a substitute a couple of minutes earlier – to convert from close range.
But the lead would only last until just after the hour mark, when Liam Polworth’s corner evaded everyone at the near post and left Brad Mckay with a tap in to restore ICT’s lead.
Goalmouth chances became few and far between towards the end of the match, but the drama was not over yet.
Just inside stoppage time, Josh Mullin broke the offside trap and slotted past Ridgers to equalise for the second time in the match.
That was enough to earn a replay for the Staggies, with the return date for the match February 19.
