Inverness CT1–1Dundee Utd

A 4-1 win on penalties gave Dundee United the bonus point against a physical Inverness side after a hard fought 1-1 draw. United made three changes to the line-up that kicked off the 6-1 win over Cowdenbeath on Tuesday night. Coll Donaldson was chosen to partner Mark Durnan in central defence; Blair Spittal got the nod ahead of Scott Fraser in midfield; and Nick Van der Velden made his first start for the club, with Tope Obadeyi dropping down to the bench.

The away side settled well enough in the opening ten minutes. However, Inverness were soon dictating play, although without creating too many clear cut chances. The away side rarely threatened, although Lewis Toshney smacked a header against the bar after an excellent Van der Velden free kick before the offside flag was raised. It was a rare highlight in an underwhelming first half. Inverness took a deserved lead after 35 minutes when a long throw from Carl Tremarco was not dealt with by the United defence. The ball was flicked on by Gary Warren, leaving Scott Boden the simple task of heading past Cammy Bell from four yards out.

But the hosts were caught cold 32 seconds after the restart. United’s rapid attack started by excellent play from Simon Murray ended with Spittal feeding the ball across to Stewart Murdoch at the edge of the box. The summer signing from Ross County executed a lovely, curled first-time finish from 20 yards out to score his first goal for the club. United were far more positive after their goal, and both sides created chances in a second half which was much more positive than the first 45 minutes. They more than matched their Premiership opponents. From Liam Polworth’s measured pass, Boden sliced badly wide from inside the right of the box. Moments later, again from Polworth’s supply, Boden’s acrobatic volley was clutched by Bell. A mistake by Ross Draper created an opening for Simon Murray but the striker pulled his shot wide of the post when he looked certain to find the net. On 77 minutes, Bell did well to push away a freekick from Greg Tansey before Henri Anier replaced Van der Velden. United broke clear four minutes from time through Obadeyi but, while his pace was impressive, his shot was blocked. The same player then frustratingly blasted the ball over from the left with several men in good positions in the middle. Cammy Smith pulled another strike wide in stoppage time. However, neither side could convert their chances and so the match went to penalties.

Carl Tremarco and Tope Obadeyi scored their penalties but misses from Tansey and Draper, coupled with goals from Coll Donaldson and Murdoch, gave Murray the chance to seal a 4-1 spot-kick win, which he converted successfully, giving United their second win on penalties in three games and sending them to the top of Group C.