Rooney makes Inverness mark

Caley Thistle midfielder Barry Wilson was sent off as the Highlanders drew 1-1 against Danish First Division side Lolland-Falster Alliancen (LFA) in the southern town of Nykobing Falster last night.

The 36-year-old received two yellow cards in the first half – the second for an off-the-ball altercation with LFA captain Lasse Holmgaard – yet Inverness were still allowed to substitute the veteran for Dougie Imrie, given the game's supposed friendly nature.

Trialist Adam Rooney scored for the Caley Jags but his strike was cancelled out by LFA midfielder Mads Pedersen in the second half.

Caley Jags manager Brewster gave a first start to Stoke City attacker Rooney, 20, and the forward netted on his debut after joining the club in Denmark for a week long trial. Brewster has already stated he is willing to place faith in his younger players and promising midfielders Iain Vigurs and Zander Sutherland, as well as forward Rory McAllister, all began the game.

LFA escaped relegation to the Danish Second Division on the last day of the season in June and like Caley Thistle were preparing for the new campaign which begins in August.

As well as having Malawi international Clement Kafwafaw, LFA, based two hours south of Copenhagen, had made Brazilian attacker Junior Mineiro, recruited from the South American country's regional leagues, their highest paid player.

After an early period of inactivity the Danish side should have taken the lead on 10 minutes. Michael Fraser sped from his penalty box to clear a long ball and missed it completely yet LFA forward Martin Christensen could not capitalise and sent a weak side-footed effort wide.

Eight minutes later McAllister headed wide from two yards after Rooney had hooked the ball back into his path. McAllister then headed over from a Wilson centre.

LFA midfielder Claes Jorgensen then saw his effort pushed aside by Fraser and Andreas Bak's swerving shot veered just past the Inverness goalkeeper's left-hand post. Wilson then handled at close range from Roy McBain's cross after a great counter-attack from Sutherland but the half ended with Wilson leaving the field after for being given his second booking.

Mineiro dragged a shot wide mid-way through the second period for the hosts who emerged as the slightly superior side after the break.

Yet Inverness broke the stalemate in impressive fashion when substitute Garry Wood played through Rooney who sided-footed beyond LFA goalkeeper Christian Emil Petersen on 67 minutes.

LFA substiute Pedersen levelled with a sublime 25 yard chip which evaded Fraser whose short throw out was seized on by the Danish midfielder with 16 minutes remaining. Wood struck the post with five minutes left and Ian Black hit the bar soon afterwards but Inverness could not claim a winner.

CALEY THISTLE: Fraser, Proctor, Djebi-Zadi, Duff, Munro (Hastings 46), McBain (Gillespie 46), Wilson (Imrie 44), Vigurs (Black 71), McAllister (Wood 61), Rooney, Sutherland (Kerr 61). Subs: Esson.

LOLLAND-FALSTER ALLIANCEN: CM Petersen, B Nielsen, Mads Jensen, R Petersen, Munsberg, Holmgaard, Bak, C Jorgensen, Mikkel Jensen, Christensen, Mineiro. Subs: Rothmar, T Christiansen, Frandsen, K Jorgensen, M Pedersen, Kafwafwa, MC Pedersen.

Attendance: 325.