We welcomed local rivals Ross County to the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium today for the semi-final of the Alba Challenge Cup and Manager Terry Butcher made three changes from the team defeated 3-2 by Partick last Saturday.  Stuart Golabek, Robert Eagle and Danni Sanchez returned to the starting line up in place of Graeme Shinnie, Nick Ross and Andy Barrowman.

With five minutes played we had our first effort on goal when a Richie Foran free kick looked destined for the bottom corner until Michael McGovern pushed the ball round for a corner kick.

On the 27th minute Richie Foran carved out an opportunity for himself when he wriggled free of his marker at the edge of the box but his left footed curling shot went wide of goal.  Lee Cox picked up a yellow card on 38 minutes.

On 44 minutes we took the lead when a high ball into the box eventually dropped to Robert Eagle at the far edge of the box and his cross cum shot looped over a Ross County defender on the line and into the net.

Half-time score: ICT 1 (Eagle 44 mins) - Ross County 0

 On the 61st minute a dangerous free kick by County left back Scott Morrison swept past the face of Ryan Esson's goal but they failed to get someone on the end of it for the equaliser.  Four minutes later and only a fine stop by Ryan Esson prevented a County goal, a long clearance from defence sprung the offside trap and Garry Wood had a clear sight of goal but Esson parried the shot to safety.

We made our first substitutions of the afternoon on the 80th minute when we replaced Lee Cox and Danni Sanchez with Daniel Stratford and Adam Rooney.

Within seconds Ross County had smashed the woodwork, Paul Lawson collected a loose clearance and his 22 yard drive crashed back off the crossbar.  Adam Rooney was then put through by Richie Foran but his low shot was blocked by a couple of County defenders and goalkeeper McGovern.

Stuart Golabek picked up a yellow card five minutes before the end for a late challenge on Richard Brittain.  Ross County forced a couple of late corners but our defence held firm and we secured a spot in the final of the Alba Challenge Cup.

Full-time score: ICT 1 (Eagle 44 mins) - Ross County 0

ICT Team

Esson

Proctor, Bulvitis, Munro, Golabek

Hayes, Cox, Duncan, Eagle

Sanchez, Foran

Subs: Allison (GK), Rooney for Sanchez (80 mins), Barrowman, Stratford for Cox (80 mins), Ross