Stenhousemuir 1-0 Caley Thistle: Scott Kellacher bemoans ‘poor’ display as unbeaten run comes to an end

The Warriors have cut Caley Thistle's lead at the top of League One to three points.

Dec 21, 2025 - 06:23

Stenhousemuir 1-0 Caley Thistle: Scott Kellacher bemoans ‘poor’ display as unbeaten run comes to an end

Alfie Bavidge (Inverness) tussles with Leyton Grant (Stenhousemuir) at Ochilview. Image: Dave Johnston.

Caley Thistle boss Scott Kellacher admitted his side were second best after their 10-game unbeaten run was ended by League One title challengers Stenhousemuir.

The Caley Jags travelled to Stenny on the back of their highest ever win in a national competition thanks to a 9-0 success at Dumbarton in the Challenge Cup on Tuesday.

But they were unable to build on their goal spree at The Rock as they fell to a 1-0 defeat with Ollie Whyte netting the game’s only goal.

The result leaves ICT three points ahead of Stenhousemuir at the top of League One with a game in hand.

Kellacher said: “It has been a massive year at the club Iin terms of trying to rebuild.

“We have come a long way and it’s important on the football pitch that we don’t get carried away but we are trying to make small steps forward.

“I’m happy with where we are at the moment but on today’s performance I thought we were poor.

“We are normally better than that but the boys give us everything that they have got.

“They have been excellent and we have to take today on the chin but there wasn’t much between the teams.”

Inverness goalkeeper Ross Munro watches the ball hit the back of the net as the shot from Oliver Whyte (Stenhousemuir) goes in for the only goal of the game. Image: Dave Johnston.

Stenhousemuir had been the first team to beat Inverness in the league when they won 2-1 at Inverness and they were hoping to secure a double, despite going into the game with a depleted squad.

The only goal of the game arrived in the 65th minute when Matty Aitken, making his 100th appearance for the Warriors, played in Whyte and he made no mistake.

The game proved to be a stop-start affair with Liam Sole missing Inverness’ best chance in the first half when he shot wide when it looked easier to score.

In the latter stages of the game Inverness applied more pressure after Stenhousemuir’s Leyton Grant was sent off in bizarre circumstances.

Stenhousemuir’s Oliver Whyte (number 22) celebrates with his teammates. Image: Dave Johnston.

Grant was shown a second yellow when in the process of being substituted rather than taking the shorter route off the pitch he headed towards the dugouts to the ire of referee Lloyd Wilson who cautioned him for his misdemeanour.

The home side, however, held out though to secure victory.

Stenny boss proud of his players

Stenhousemuir manager Gary Naysmith thought it was possibly the best performance from his team during his time at the club.

He also praised the Caley Thistle support who had travelled to the game on the Saturday before Christmas and said it was the liveliest the ground had been for a while.