2 years ago
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Tony Watt scored an 87th-minute winner at Inverness Caledonian Thistle to send Dundee United top of the Scottish Championship.
A drab game looked to be heading for a draw when Glenn Middleton crossed for Watt to tap home at the back post.
Cillian Sheridan and Charlie Gilmour had chances to grab an equaliser for the home side but both headed wide.
In a frantic finale, Inverness then had a strong claim for handball against Liam Grimshaw dismissed by Alan Muir.
Jim Goodwin's side had previously created little against a well-organised Inverness CT side, for whom James Carragher made an assured debut at right centre-back.
Carragher, the son of Liverpool legend Jamie, signed on loan from Wigan Athletic this week and was thrown straight in to the action by Inverness manager Duncan Ferguson.
His new side edged a generally uneventful first half, as Danny Devine's header was cleared off the line by Jordan Tilson while Billy Mckay finished poorly from the most flowing move of the opening period.
Watt had his own appeal for a penalty waved away by referee Muir - claiming he was pulled back by Cameron Harper - but the former Celtic striker had the last word.
Goodwin's side go top of the table - level on points with Raith Rovers but with a better goal difference - while Inverness stay seventh, six points outside the play-off spots.
James Carragher made his debut for Inverness CT after signing on loan on WednesdayInverness manager Duncan Ferguson told BBC Scotland: "I thought the first half we were the better team.
"We could have maybe gone one-up. In the second half we didn't do as well, Dundee United pushed the play without really creating anything.
"I think everybody saw in the stadium the big moment - but the referee never made the decision."
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin: "I think there will be people writing into the BBC looking for their licence fee back after that performance.
"It was a really poor game of football. I am not making excuses but we have a lot of players struggling with knocks. I think we are very lucky to have won the game.
"I am not going to stand here and say we deserved it but throughout the course of the league campaign you are going to get games like that.
"It was not pretty but sometimes the result is worth more than the performance and I think tonight was one of those. It is a huge three points."
On the handball claim at the end, Goodwin added: "We were denied a stonewall penalty last weekend but tonight we probably got away with one."
Line-ups
Inverness CT
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Ridgers
- 8Carson
- 6Devine
- 20BoyesBooked at 57mins
- 30CarragherSubstituted forSheridanat 90'minutes
- 19LongstaffSubstituted forDoranat 90+2'minutes
- 7Gilmour
- 15Anderson
- 3Harper
- 22Shaw
- 9MckaySubstituted forBrooksat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Duffy
- 10Doran
- 12MacGregor
- 14Davidson
- 21MacKay
- 24Brooks
- 29Thompson
- 34Sheridan
- 44Ujdur
Dundee Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Walton
- 8Grimshaw
- 6Graham
- 4Holt
- 33McMann
- 7GreiveSubstituted forMeekisonat 69'minutes
- 16TillsonBooked at 61minsSubstituted forGlassat 89'minutes
- 18Fotheringham
- 32WattBooked at 90mins
- 15Middleton
- 26Mochrie
Substitutes
- 5Denham
- 13Newman
- 17Meekison
- 21Glass
- 22Freeman
- 25Duffy
- 27Macleod
- 28Anim Cudjoe
- 42Petrie
Referee:Alan Muir
Attendance:2,662
Live Text
Match ends, Inverness CT 0, Dundee United 1.
Second Half ends, Inverness CT 0, Dundee United 1.
Tony Watt (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
Attempt missed. Charlie Gilmour (Inverness CT) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high following a set piece situation.
Hand ball by Kai Fotheringham (Dundee United).
Attempt missed. Cillian Sheridan (Inverness CT) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.
Substitution, Inverness CT. Aaron Doran replaces Luis Longstaff.
Corner, Inverness CT. Conceded by Chris Mochrie.
Attempt missed. Cillian Sheridan (Inverness CT) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.
Substitution, Inverness CT. Cillian Sheridan replaces James Carragher.
Substitution, Dundee United. Declan Glass replaces Jordan Tillson because of an injury.
Goal! Inverness CT 0, Dundee United 1. Tony Watt (Dundee United) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Glenn Middleton.
Hand ball by Tony Watt (Dundee United).
Foul by James Carragher (Inverness CT).
Archie Meekison (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution, Inverness CT. Adam Brooks replaces Billy Mckay.
Attempt blocked. Kai Fotheringham (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt missed. Jordan Tillson (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Hand ball by Billy Mckay (Inverness CT).
Attempt saved. Archie Meekison (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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