Caley Thistle limped out of the Betfred Cup with a tame 1-0 defeat to Dundee.
Danny Johnson’s first-half goal was enough to seal the home side’s progress to the round of 16, with East Fife claiming the final best runners-up spot at Inverness’ expense.
John Robertson’s side needed just a point to advance but for the third year in succession will go out at the group stages.
The Caley Jags made one change from the team that beat Cove Rangers, with Charlie Trafford taking David Carson’s place in midfield.
Dundee handed a debut to new signing Johnson and he drew a save out of Mark Ridgers nine minutes in, forcing the goalkeeper to tip his rising drive over the bar from 25 yards.
Teenager Finlay Robertson came close to his first senior goal from the resulting corner as he cut back on his left foot whipped the ball across the face of goal.
James Keatings had two chances in the space of two minutes, seeing one beaten away by Jack Hamilton and another diverted over the bar from point-blank range by Jordan McGhee.
Johnson ought to have put his new side 23 minutes with the Caley Thistle defence napping. Paul McGowan’s cross ought to have been cleared comfortably but Brad Mckay dawdled, allowing Andrew Nelson to nip in feed Johnson. The ex-Motherwell striker had all the goal to aim for but contrived to blaze high and wide before burying his head in the turf.
However, 10 minutes later he made amends. Shaun Byrne’s through ball squeezed under Coll Donaldson’s foot and picked out the striker and while his near-post effort was struck well, Ridgers will be disappointed to have got something on it and not kept it out.
A Keatings free-kick evaded everyone in the box and squeezed past the far post, in the final chance of a poor first half for the Caley Jags.
They had a penalty appeal turned down at the start of the second half when White and Jordon Foster tangled, but referee Nick Walsh gave the foul in Dundee’s favour.
McGowan embarked on a fine solo run that left Carl Tremarco in his wake but when it came to finish, he scuffed his shot wide. Cammy Kerr and Byrne both sent shots high over the top from promising positions as Dundee looked the most likely to find the net next.
The opportunities kept coming for the home side, with Jordan Marshall’s cross flying in front of Ridgers and only just in front of Byrne.
Robertson introduced Nikolay Todorov and Mitchell Curry in a bid to turn the game but lost the latter to injury before the end, as Caley Thistle exit the competition.
