Honours even in Caley clash

Jan 30 2012 Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

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DANNY Lennon’s Buddies grafted their way to an SPL point in this difficult clash with the Jags at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

And a point apiece was just about right in a game that never hit the heights.

There was a return to action for midfielder Steven Thomson as he replaced the injured Kenny McLean.

In the first couple of minutes David Barron sent a floated ball into the box where Steven Thompson nodded into space, but Dougie Imrie failed to spot the move and a chance went abegging.

For the next few minutes the Jags enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but visiting goalkeeper Craig Samson remained untroubled.

Striker Thompson burst to life after nine minutes, though, when he picked out Graham Carey free on the left, but the Irishman’s shot was blocked by Caley goalkeeper Ryan Esson.

Greg Tansey sent a right-foot shot from distance high and wide after Jonny Hayes played him in.

Then, at the midway point, goalkeeper Esson got a crucial hand to a glancing header from Thompson after Carey played him in on the angle of the six-yard box.

Minutes later Paul McGowan robbed Caley right-back Ross Tokely of possession before darting forward and sending a right-foot shot well wide of the mark.

Towards the half hour Thompson and McGowan combined on the edge of the Caley box and they found Carey 25 yards from goal.

The former Celtic star looked up and cracked a lovely angled shot just wide of the right-hand post.

Kenny Gillet received a stern lecture from referee Stephen Finnie for a foul on Imrie but Carey’s resultant free-kick was headed clear.

And it was left to Inverness skipper Richie Foran to receive the first caution of the match after 34 minutes for a foul on Carey.

Carey fizzed another shot from distance well over the target as the game became increasingly scrappy in the middle of the park.

Midfielder Thomson saw a header from Imrie’s cross gathered by Esson as the visitors again carved out a good chance to break the deadlock.

At the other end Gillet arrowed a right-foot shot wide of the left-hand post after Nick Ross saw his initial shot take a ricochet.

At the start of the second 45 Samson had to look lively to tip a Foran cross away from the goalmouth as Caley took an early initiative.

Gregory Tade also should have done better when he was played into space down the left side but his cut-back was woeful.

Moments later the same player side-footed a cross from the left by Hayes agonisingly wide of the right-hand post in the home side’s best chance.

The Caley pressure continued and Tansey lifted a shot just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

Imrie won a free-kick 30 yards out in a central position following a foul by Tansey.

Up stepped Carey to send a left-foot shot over the wall and wide of the right-hand post.

Centre back Lee Mair produced a brilliant tackle in the box to deny Hayes a shot on goal after the Caley man stole possession away from Marc McAusland and headed towards goal.

At the other end McAusland’s glancing header from Carey’s cross was taken by a well-placed Esson at his near post.

Claude Gnakpa replaced Shane Sutherland after 66 minutes in Caley’s first personnel change of the afternoon.

Saints ace McGowan passed up a great chance to score after 67 minutes, sending a tame effort into the arms of Esson when he looked odds-on to score.

Barron was the next player to enter the referee’s notebook for a foul on Hayes after 70 minutes before sub Gnakpa sent a shot crashing off the base of the left-hand post with Samson looking beaten.

And defender Tokely saw a header hoofed clear as the Jags began to turn the screw.

Gary Teale and Hugh Murray replaced Carey and Thomson as boss Lennon injected fresh legs into the game.

Imrie sent a deflected shot behind for a corner with time running out but Teale’s cross was headed clear.

At the death Samson palmed Ross’ angled shot that looked destined for the net in a Caley breakaway move.