Every silver lining has a cloud for Caley Thistle right now.
The good news is the Championship side, somehow, found a way to see off Stirling Albion 3-2 on Saturday to advance to Monday’s fourth-round Scottish Cup draw.
It ended a run of six matches without a win and came against dangerous League Two opponents, who had the momentum of losing just one of their last 10 fixtures.
There was also a new signing for Inverness fans to cast their eyes on, even if just for the closing nine minutes.
An hour before kick-off, they brought in 21-year-old free agent, Ryan Barrett.
The right-back, who was an academy player at Newcastle United, has signed on a deal until January.
There was also a welcome return to from the bench for on-loan Hibernian winger Dan MacKay, who has been out with a knee injury since mid-October.
Doran delivers winner in 350th game
With the game heading for extra time, it was fitting that fans’ favourite Aaron Doran – on his 350th appearance – delivered a deft finish to ensure there would be no surprise outcome.
On the down side, captain Sean Welsh, who played with a leg knock in the 2-2 league draw against leaders Ayr United a week past, missed out in this clash.
And, to take the injured list back up to nine, a calf injury late on brought an end to the afternoon for striker Billy Mckay.
Ex-Hearts, Livingston and Airdrie forward Dale Carrick scored twice for Stirling – once to put his team 1-0 up – then later to square it at 2-2.
Goals from Wallace Duffy and Max Ram had turned the tie for ICT before Carrick’s second intervention. Thankfully for the hosts, Doran was on hand to take them through.
ICT punished for defensive errors
Caley Thistle head coach Billy Dodds wasn’t impressed with his team’s display and expects better.
He said: “Aaron was the one in the first half who was taking responsibility and taking the ball and Nathan Shaw came on to a game in the second half, as he did in the first half.
“There were a few who felt they would just do enough to get through the tie. I warned them that’s when you get into trouble.
“We were miles away from where we want to be – we made mistakes defensively and got punished – and that has to improve if we’re going to progress. We’re through and we found a way to do, it but I want to do it in a better way.
“The positives were getting Dan MacKay back, getting Ryan Barrett through the door and on to the pitch, and we’re through to the next round.
“Overall, it wasn’t good enough. I have seen teams play like that, just trying to do enough against lower division teams and they are out – there are shocks. At least this wasn’t a shock.
“Stirling were energetic, they believed and took responsibility, which we didn’t.”
Quick response after Carrick goal
The Binos gave as good as they got early on and were far from overawed.
Darren Young’s side took the lead on 27 minutes when Kai Fotheringham whipped in a cross and Carrick planted a header beyond goalkeeper Cammy MacKay.
Dodds knew this was a dangerous tie, so was relieved to see his men respond three minutes later when Duffy finished from close range from a corner to make it 1-1.
Five minutes before half-time, Caley Thistle had the lead when defender Ram supplied a finish in the box after Doran headed it on from a corner.
However, Stirling went in level at the break when a mistake from Danny Devine allowed Carrick to break and he kept his cool before beating Cammy MacKay.
Fine build-up ahead of cup clincher
Substitute George Oakley was involved in the winner as he linked up with Nathan Shaw, whose cross was dinked home from four yards by Doran on 68 minutes.
Stirling pressed for a third goal, but two fine stops from Cammy MacKay ensured ICT, the 2015 cup-winners, booked a fourth-round spot.
Caley Thistle return to Championship action on Saturday when they host Dundee.
The Dark Blues, who beat Airdrie 6-2 after extra-time in the cup, are five points ahead of ICT and sit just one point away from front-runners Ayr.
CALEY THISTLE (4-4-1-1) – Cammy MacKay 6, Duffy 6, Harper 6, Devine 6, Carson 6, Billy Mckay 6 (Dan MacKay 64), Doran 6, Ram 6 (Barrett 81), Hyde 6, Shaw 7, Boyd 6 (Oakley 60). Subs not used – Ridgers (GK), Strachan, Calum MacKay, Nicolson.
STIRLING ALBION (4-2-3-1) – Currie 6, McGeachie 6, McLean 6, McGregor 6, Dunsmore 7, Carrick 7, Leitch 6 (Moore 72), Denholm 6 (Thomson 72), Banner 3 (Davidson 22), Clark 6 (Cooper 82), Fotheringham 7. Subs not used – Law (GK), Burns.
Referee – Dan McFarlane.
Attendance – 738.
Man of the match – Nathan Shaw.
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