With the exception of the returning captain for Leitch we started with the eleven that had success against Aberdeen a fortnight ago. Inverness kicked off and settled first. We earned a couple of fruitless corners after ten minutes but the opposition, for all their possession, could only bring Ripley into action when he cleared a long Tremarco throw-in.
The half continued with ICT having the best of the half chances. Ripley had to use some juggling skills as he kept the ball from Hughes at the post and just before the whistle Storey almost scored but his header missed. At the other end Tremarco was rightly booked for a scything challenge on Cadden. Hammell's free kick gave McDonald a header but, in the story of the half, it was alo off target.
The second half began in the same flat vein as the first. It had the air of a training match. McGhee tried to turn the game with two substitutions after 53 minutes. Cadden and Gomis were replaced by Ainsworth and Leitch.
The Bois behind the goal had a great view of the goal in 63 minutes. Johnson crossed from the left but Williams failed to hold. McDonald collected and rolled for Ainsworth at the edge of the box. He tried a hopeful floater and Williams (perhaps unsighted by the low sun) fumbled again and the ball landed in the net. Twist and Shout soon erupted!
The singing was soon halted as Lasley fouled Draper just inside the box. Vigurs made no mistake from the penalty spot. Lasley was replaced by Fletcher and the pace of the game picked up as both teams realised they were in a contest.
McDonald dropped back to make room for our enlarged forward line. Ripley remained the busier 'keeper and Hughes made three changes to keep the pressure up.
Four minutes of added time had almost passed when we grabbed a dramatic late winner. Inverness won a corner in the dying minute and pushed everyone up. We took the ball and with only Williams in the home half a break was on. Ainsworth released Johnson and he crossed the halfway line intent on scoring. Williams came from his goal but our man slotted home from 25 yards to take an unlikely three points.
Late goals have been a feature of our season but this one moved us to fourth.
Inverness 1 Motherwell 2
Attendance 3,348
Team: Ripley, Hammell, McManus, Kennedy, Law, Johnson, Gomis (Leitch 53), Lasley (Fletcher 72), Cadden (Ainsworth 53), Moult, McDonald