Eight players are injured – but Caley Thistle remain just three points off the top of the Championship after their 1-1 weekend draw with Arbroath.
Nathan Shaw and goalkeeper Cammy MacKay were given starts on the back of last week’s 4-0 flop away to Morton.
Shaw delivered with an opening goal early in the second half. A misjudged header by David Carson let in ex-Inverurie Locos ace Kieran Shanks for the leveller.
It’s a result which nudged Inverness down to fifth spot, but they remain one win away from leaders Ayr United, who drew 1-1 with Morton.
Arbroath, whose manager Dick Campbell confirmed he had six players unavailable, pressed for a winner, but walked off with a draw to move off bottom spot, above Hamilton on goal difference.
Gutted by ‘gifting’ Arbroath leveller
Dodds felt his players put enough into the contest to met maximum points, but insists a two-goal advantage would have sunk the visitors.
He said: “We’ve just not been clinical enough this season. We had plenty of great chances on Saturday.
“We could have been out of sight, but we gifted them a goal and Arbroath take a point, which they didn’t deserve to be honest.
“Credit to Dick (Campbell’s) team. They put us under pressure, but we weathered that and had a couple of chances as well.
“We were the better team and, had we got a second goal (to go 2-0 up) we’d have taken three points, which would have been great. But we’re still up there fighting.”
Scorer Shaw will rise in confidence
And Dodds was thrilled for Shaw to get his third goal of the season after being promoted to the starting 11.
He added: “Nathan was the best player on the park and not just because of his goal.
“His work-rate was good. He looked dangerous and positive when he got the ball. He was mixing his game up and crosses good balls in and beating players.
“That’s all I want from Nathan – there’s a player in there. Sometimes he just needs a little bit of confidence. He will take confidence from that goal.”
The game took a while to get going, but most of the positive play early on was coming from the Highlanders, with Shaw and striker George Oakley in the thick of it.
Every time they thought they would have an opening, Arbroath number one Derek Gaston was on hand to keep them out.
First, he saved from a low Cammy Harper drive, then he denied Billy Mckay after a neat move with several swift passes.
Last season’s runners-up reminded people of their threats when Michael McKenna crashed a fine shot off the left post.
Caley Jags’ Aaron Doran was then picked out by George Oakley, but shot over the top then Gaston saved a Billy Mckay header after the striker met a cross from Carson.
Cammy MacKay ensured it remained goalless at half-time when he dealt smartly with a long-range Tait shot.
Just after the break, Shaw clipped the ball into the box for Billy Mckay, but his header was matched by Gaston’s save.
Gaston finally beat by Shaw opener
The home fans, however, were on their feet on 52 minutes when Shaw was in the right place at the right time to guide home an effort from Billy Mckay.
It was almost 2-0 just after that when Harper placed a header on target, but again Gaston was there.
On the hour mark though, Arbroath equalised when Carson’s header presented an opening for Shanks and he tucked the ball past Cammy MacKay.
Billy Mckay would want to replay his next chance when he rounded Gaston, but opted to go for goal, with George Oakley better placed and waiting in the box. His effort crashed into the side-netting.
Gaston had one more save from Billy Mckay before the Angus side enjoyed a strong finishing period, with sub Daniel Fosu going closest when denied by Cammy MacKay.
The Caley Jags have now gone four games without a win, but remain in touch in an ultra-competitive division.
Inverness are on the road to Stenhousemuir next Saturday to tackle Owen Coyle’s Queen’s Park in a 5.30pm kick-off.
Caley Thistle (4-4-1-1) – MacKay 6, Duffy 6, Harper 6 (Hyde 87), Welsh 6, Carson 6, Mckay 6, Doran 6, Oakley 7 (Boyd 79), Ram 6, Shaw 7, Delaney 6. Subs not used – Ridgers (GK), Strachan, Calum MacKay, Nicolson.
Arbroath (3-5-2) – Gaston 7, Oakley 6, Hamilton 6, Little 6, Gold 6 (Hancock 79), McKenna 6, Jacobs 6, Linn 6, Tait 7, Shanks 6 (Hilson 69), Allan 6 (Fosu 77). Subs not used – Gill (GK), Corfe, Isiaka.
Referee – Calum Scott.
Attendance – 1847.
Man of the match – Nathan Shaw.
