Dundee United spoiled Richie Foran’s home debut as Caley Thistle manager as they won a penalty shoot-out to gain a bonus point win in the Betfred Cup.
Inverness were the better team in the 90 minutes and dominated for long spells but United cancelled out Scott Boden’s opener with Stewart Murdoch netting with the visitors’ only shot on target at Caledonian Stadium.
The Tangerines went on to win the penalty shootout 4-1 after visiting goalkeeper Cammy Bell saved Greg Tansey and Ross Draper’s spot kicks before Murray scored the winning penalty.
Billy King, on his home debut, set-up Caley Thistle’s first chance when he picked out the unmarked Liam Polworth at the back post but the Inverness midfielder side-footed his volley over the crossbar from eight yards.
Cammy Smith ball picked out van der Velden but he wanted too long on the ball and his shot was blocked by the long legs of Greg Tansey and Kevin McNaughton in the penalty area.
United’s chance was a brief respite in the face of strong pressure from the home side, however, and Caley Thistle’s perseverance eventually paid off 10 minutes before half-time when captain Gary Warren flicked Carl Tremarco’s long throw-in on for Scott Boden to head past Cammy Bell in the United goal.
Inverness were worth their interval lead but they let their advantage slip less than a minute into the second half when United drew level.
Simon Murray created the goal with a fine run and cross from the right wing to pick out Stewart Murdoch and the United midfielder curled the ball high past Cammy Mackay from the edge of the box.
Caley Jags came closes to a winner through a Greg Tansey free kick and a low drive from Polworth but United goalkeeper Bell saved both efforts as the match ended 1-1 with penalties required to determine the bonus point winner.
Carl Tremarco scored for Inverness before Tansey and Draper saw their efforts saved while United were flawless as Tope Obadeyi, Coll Donaldson, Murdoch and Murray all scored from the spot to keep United top of the group.
