Caley Thistle 1-1 Queen of the South: Scott Kellacher calls for fans’ help after League One leaders drop two points

Manager Scott Kellacher is urging Inverness fans to stick with his team after the 1-1 draw with Queen of the South opened the League One title door to Stenhousemuir.

The Caley Jags now sit just two clear of Stenny after their comeback draw against their fourth-placed visitors.

Former Ross County forward Nicky Clark put Queens in front after a dominant start from Inverness but Ross Millen slammed home the rebound from his penalty to earn a share of the spoils.

Stenhousemuir have the chance to move one point clear at the top when they travel to East Fife on Saturday afternoon.

Next Sunday, Caley Thistle contest the Challenge Cup final against Championship opponents Raith Rovers at Firhill.

Then, on April 11, Inverness travel to Ochilview to play Stenny in what looks like being a major game in terms of deciding where the title goes.

Draws hampering ICT’s title bid

Kellacher was frustrated that their fourth draw from six games in a 13-match unbeaten run came from a contest they were in control of.

He said: “It has been frustrating over the last few weeks, because we need to turn these draws into wins.

“When you’re top of the table, everyone wants to beat you that little bit more, but I see that as a challenge we have to stand up to.

“We were well on top, and we had chance after chance which we didn’t take.

“Out of the blue, the way we defended for the goal kills us – especially when they’re not even in the game.

“After that we’re up against it, and we have to try and force the game.

“I’m frustrated, disappointed, and I try to tell the boys we need to be clinical in both boxes, which I think we have been over the course of the season.

“There are goals in the team, there’s no getting away from that. We’ve had over 20 clean sheets this year, but it’s when it gets to the nitty gritty now in the last five or six games on the league you really need to be concentrating and consistent.

“Once we scored, we then just tried to rush things. They sat in for five or 10 minutes, and rather than being patient we just put balls into the box needlessly, and it got a bit scrappy.

“I get that the fans are going to be frustrated. They want to win games of football, and it’s important they know that a lot of these boys have never been in this position in their life before, so we need the fans to encourage them.

“If we don’t win, it’s my job to take the criticism, but sometimes we need a bit of help to get behind the boys.”

Still five wins from winning the title

And Kellacher knows that five wins, including against Stenny next month, will hand his team an automatic return to the Championship, two years after relegation.

He added: “It’s still in our hands, and I said that to the boys.

“I can’t ask for any more from them. It’s not as if they haven’t worked hard, we just came slightly off what we’re really good at.

“It’s not easy when teams sit in for large spells of the game. It’s hard to break them down – everybody can see that. Teams aren’t just going to let you walk through them and pass it into the net.

“Sometimes it’s hard going, and you can feel the tension, but we need to be better than that. It was a hard one to take tonight.”

Five changes for Caley Thistle

A knee injury sustained last week meant home captain Danny Devine missed a league game for the first time this season. He was replaced by Mitchell Robertson at the heart of the defence.

That was one of five changes, with Millen, Jordan Alonge, Alfie Bavidge and Billy Mckay also stepping in as starters.

The first chance of note was carved open by a long through ball by Remi Savage for Longstaff and he burst into the box and served a shot just over the crossbar.

Mckay was just off target when he steered a diving header past Ross Stewart’s left post when he met a Millen free-kick into the danger area.

Alfie Stewart strode forward and fired a 25-yarder on target, which goalkeeper Stewart gathered gratefully.

Oscar MacIntyre then crashed a shot off the left post after he weaved into the box following a pass by Stewart.

The Dumfries men were struggling to create anything, but moments after Jack Hannah had gone close, they stunned Caley Thistle with the opening on 36 minutes.

An attack which began on the left flank ended up on the right side with Callum Penman.

His ball into the area was knocked on by Zander MacKenzie and Clark got just enough on the ball to guide it past goalkeeper Ross Munro.

That was the forward’s third goal in six outings since returning to Queens after leaving the Dingwall side last month.

Penalty rebound scored by Millen

Seven minutes into the second half it was all square after Matthew Douglas fouled Mckay in the box and a penalty was awarded.

Up stepped captain for the night Millen, who buried the ball home after his penalty was parried away by Stewart.

It was nip and tuck for large spells from this point, with plenty riding out whoever could notch the winner.

A speculative shot from MacIntyre was pushed away by Stewart as it threatened to sneak in at the near post with 20 minutes to go.

The game was very stop-start, too much for ICT’s liking as they were urged on by fans to try and find a winner.

This was a better result for Queens, who came closest to sealing the win when Kai Kennedy sliced a low drive wide.

ICTFC v Queen of the South ratings

CALEY THISTLE (4-2-3-1): Munro 6, Millen 7, Savage 6, Robertson 6, MacIntyre 7, Stewart 7, Chalmers 6, Longstaff 6 (Willox 76), Alonge 6, Bavidge 6, Mckay 7 (Wotherspoon 89).

Subs not used: Ross (GK), Allan, Mackinnon, MacLeod, Brannan, Clark, Kerr.

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH (4-2-3-1): Stewart 6, Penman 6, Douglas 6, Hannah 6, Mackenzie 6 (Smith 87), Lyon 6, Luissint 6, Charters 6, Clark 6 (Johnstone 77), Kennedy 7, Guthrie 6 (Mason 82).

Subs not used: Green (GK), Allan, Rogerson.

Referee: Gary Hanvidge.

Attendance: 2,466.

Man of the match: Ross Millen.

[Source: Press and Journal]