Inverness made the Scottish Communities League Cup quarter-finals after overcoming Stenhousemuir on penalties.

The visitors took the lead when Billy McKay headed Richie Foran's pass home.

Stenhousemuir levelled after Brown Ferguson was fouled in the box and he converted the penalty himself.

Neither side could find a winner in regulation or extra time and penalties ensued, with Ryan Esson saving Darren Smith's spot-kick to send the Highlanders through.

Inverness join Celtic, Dundee United, Hearts, St Johnstone and St Mirren in the last eight, with two more ties to be played on Wednesday.

Stenhousemuir midfielder Darren Smith

Smith's penalty was saved by Esson

The driving wind and rain made for difficult conditions and John Gemmell's early shot for the hosts did not find its target.

Goalkeeper Robbie Thomson, making his first appearance since joining Stenny on loan from Celtic, gathered Aaron Doran's fizzing shot at the second attempt shortly before the visitors moved ahead.

McKay raced onto Foran's clever pass and lifted the ball over Thomson.

Doran again tested Thomson and the save proved crucial with Stenhousemuir soon levelling.

David Raven felled Ferguson inside the area and the forward held his nerve to leave Esson with no chance.

And the home side, who eliminated last season's tournament winners Kilmarnock in round two, almost had the lead before half-time, Stewart Kean's attempt bouncing off the top of the crossbar.

Further stops by Thomson denied Foran and Raven and Kean came very close to sealing a winner in the closing stages of regulation time, his effort just missing the post.

Andrew Shinnie and Smith had efforts saved during a tense extra-time.

Inverness captain Foran struck the first penalty in the shoot-out against the post but, after Ferguson, Graeme Shinnie, Andy Rodgers and Gavin Morrison converted in succession, Stenny's Bryan Hodge fired his spot-kick off target.

Aaron Doran and John McMillan and then Andrew Shinnie and Ross McMillan were also successful, meaning the shoot-out went to sudden death.

Ross Draper put Inverness ahead but Kean levelled and then Philip Roberts put the visitors in front.

Smith stepped up needing to score to keep the Second Division side in the competition but Esson saved to book Terry Butcher's side a place in the fourth round.

Stenhousemuir manager Martyn Corrigan: "It's disappointing to lose on penalties but I can't fault the lads for their effort.

"We had a great chance at the end of the 90 minutes but couldn't quite take it.

"The lads are disappointed but can take a lot away from their display tonight."

Inverness manager Terry Butcher: "It certainly wasn't comfortable and we are really pleased to be through.

"I said before it wouldn't be 0-0 and Stenhousemuir made it very difficult for us.

"Both sides deserve great credit for trying to play football in such difficult conditions and we are delighted that, at the end, we've made it through."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Stenhousemuir

  • 01 Thomson
  • 02 Ross
  • 04 Buist (Rodgers - 96' Booked )
  • 05 McMillan
  • 03 McKinlay Booked
  • 06 Hodge
  • 07 Ferguson
  • 08 Thomson (Anderson - 103' )
  • 11 Dickson (Smith - 69' )
  • 09 Gemmell
  • 10 Kean

Substitutes

  • 17 Shaw
  • 16 Lawson
  • 15 Anderson
  • 12 Rodgers
  • 14 Smith

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

  • 01 Esson
  • 02 Raven
  • 03 Shinnie
  • 05 Warren Booked
  • 14 Meekings
  • 08 Draper
  • 10 Shinnie
  • 22 Pepper (Morrison - 79' )
  • 07 McKay (Roberts - 102' )
  • 09 Foran
  • 17 Doran

Substitutes

  • 12 Reguero
  • 32 Cooper
  • 19 Morrison
  • 16 Oswell
  • 23 Roberts
Ref: Madden
Att: 705

Match Stats

Shots

13 19

On target

3 13

Corners

6 10

Fouls

21 15

Live Text Commentary

126:28

Penalty taken by Darren Smith is saved by Ryan Esson.

125:55 Penalty

Penalty scored by Philip Roberts. Stenhousemuir 5-6 Inverness CT on penalties.

125:31 Penalty

Stewart Kean scores a penalty. Stenhousemuir 5-5 Inverness CT on penalties.

125:10 Penalty

Ross Draper scores a penalty. Stenhousemuir 4-5 Inverness CT on penalties.

124:38 Penalty

Penalty scored by Ross McMillan. Stenhousemuir 4-4 Inverness CT on penalties.

124:07 Penalty

Penalty scored by Andrew Shinnie. Stenhousemuir 3-4 Inverness CT on penalties.

123:45 Penalty

John Gemmell scores a penalty. Stenhousemuir 3-3 Inverness CT on penalties.

123:27 Penalty

Penalty scored by Aaron Doran. Stenhousemuir 2-3 Inverness CT on penalties.

123:02

Penalty missed by Bryan Hodge.

122:40 Penalty

Penalty scored by Gavin Morrison. Stenhousemuir 2-2 Inverness CT on penalties.

121:53 Penalty

Andy Rodgers scores a penalty. Stenhousemuir 2-1 Inverness CT on penalties.

121:32 Penalty

Graeme Shinnie scores a penalty. Stenhousemuir 1-1 Inverness CT on penalties.

121:12 Penalty

Penalty scored by Brown Ferguson. Stenhousemuir 1-0 Inverness CT on penalties.

120:01

The drama of the penalty shoot-out is about to begin.

120:01

Spot kick missed by Richie Foran.

120:00 +1:46

The match goes to a penalty shoot-out.

119:32

Foul by Graeme Shinnie on Darren Smith, free kick awarded. Free kick crossed left-footed by Bryan Hodge, John Gemmell concedes a free kick for a foul on Gary Warren. Free kick taken by Ryan Esson.

118:37

The free kick is swung in right-footed by Aaron Doran, Andy Rodgers manages to make a clearance.

118:37 Booking

Booking The referee books Kevin McKinlay for unsporting behaviour.

118:24

Kevin McKinlay concedes a free kick for a foul on Aaron Doran.

118:02

Darren Smith takes the chance to get an effort at goal. Save made by Ryan Esson.

115:11

Philip Roberts takes a shot. Save by Robbie Thomson.

114:08

The offside flag is raised against John Gemmell. Josh Meekings takes the free kick.

113:19

John Gemmell takes a shot. Aaron Doran gets a block in.

112:25

Free kick taken by Bryan Hodge.

112:25 Booking

Booking Gary Warren goes into the referee's book.

112:15

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andy Rodgers by Gary Warren.

111:37

The ball is delivered by Gavin Morrison.

111:03

Corner from right by-line taken by Aaron Doran.

110:47

Shot by Aaron Doran from outside the box goes over the target.

110:27

Unfair challenge on Josh Meekings by Darren Smith results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Gary Warren.

109:47

Richie Foran is caught offside. Robbie Thomson takes the free kick.

109:10

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Greg Ross by Andrew Shinnie. Direct free kick taken by Robbie Thomson.

108:53

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ross Draper by Craig Anderson. Ross Draper takes the direct free kick.

108:16

Philip Roberts takes a shot. Save by Robbie Thomson.

107:54

The official flags Aaron Doran offside. Kevin McKinlay takes the direct free kick.

107:09

The ball is sent over by Kevin McKinlay, clearance by Josh Meekings.

106:13

Philip Roberts produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the goal.

105:49

The assistant referee signals for offside against John Gemmell. Josh Meekings takes the free kick.

105:01

The game restarts for the second half of extra time.

105:00 +0:33

Direct free kick taken by Josh Meekings.

105:00 +0:33 Booking

Booking Booking for Andy Rodgers for unsporting behaviour.

105:00 +0:28

Free kick awarded for a foul by Andy Rodgers on Aaron Doran.

104:30

Andrew Shinnie challenges Greg Ross unfairly and gives away a free kick. Robbie Thomson takes the direct free kick.

103:25

Aaron Doran has an effort at goal. Save by Robbie Thomson.

102:51 Substitution

Substitution Iain Thomson leaves the field to be replaced by Craig Anderson.

102:31

Aaron Doran takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, Ross McMillan makes a clearance.

102:15

Graeme Shinnie has a drilled shot. Blocked by Brown Ferguson.

101:56

Shot from 12 yards by Andrew Shinnie. Save by Robbie Thomson.

101:12 Substitution

Substitution Billy McKay goes off and Philip Roberts comes on.

101:00

The ball is delivered by Aaron Doran, clearance by Brown Ferguson.

100:27

Darren Smith produces a cross, save by Ryan Esson.

99:22

Iain Thomson concedes a free kick for a foul on Gavin Morrison. Ryan Esson takes the free kick.

98:23

Headed effort on goal by Richie Foran from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the goal.

97:49

Corner taken right-footed by Aaron Doran, John Gemmell manages to make a clearance.

97:05

Aaron Doran takes the inswinging corner, clearance by John Gemmell.

96:21

Ross McMillan challenges Richie Foran unfairly and gives away a free kick. Aaron Doran crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, Greg Ross manages to make a clearance.

95:46 Substitution

Substitution Andy Rodgers is brought on as a substitute for Scott Buist.

92:58

John Gemmell is ruled offside. Direct free kick taken by Ryan Esson.

92:30

The referee gives a free kick against Andrew Shinnie for handball. Robbie Thomson restarts play with the free kick.

92:10

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andrew Shinnie by Iain Thomson. Gary Warren takes the direct free kick.

90:29

Stewart Kean fouled by Graeme Shinnie, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ross McMillan.

90:00 +4:23

The referee blows for the end of normal time.

90:00 +1:44

Iain Thomson takes a shot.

90:00 +0:52

Stewart Kean produces a right-footed shot from close in which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

90:00 +0:20

Corner from the right by-line taken by Aaron Doran, clearance made by Ross McMillan.

89:42

Gavin Morrison fouled by Brown Ferguson, the ref awards a free kick. Gary Warren takes the direct free kick.

89:25

The ball is crossed by Bryan Hodge, Josh Meekings makes a clearance.

89:06

The ball is swung over by Stewart Kean, save by Ryan Esson.

88:21

Outswinging corner taken by Aaron Doran, Ross McMillan manages to make a clearance.

87:58

David Raven takes a shot. Save made by Robbie Thomson.

87:33

A cross is delivered by Kevin McKinlay, clearance made by Josh Meekings.

84:29

Effort from the edge of the area by Richie Foran goes wide of the right-hand post.

83:40

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Andrew Shinnie by Greg Ross. Graeme Shinnie takes the free kick.

68:09 Substitution

Substitution Darren Smith comes on in place of Sean Dickson.

79:36

Inswinging corner taken by Brown Ferguson from the left by-line, save made by Ryan Esson.

78:48

Corner from the right by-line taken by Bryan Hodge, Ryan Esson makes a save.

78:01 Substitution

Substitution Gavin Morrison is brought on as a substitute for Conor Pepper.

77:44

John Gemmell has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the goal.

76:38

A cross is delivered by Scott Buist, clearance by Gary Warren.

75:47

John Gemmell concedes a free kick for a foul on Richie Foran. Graeme Shinnie takes the free kick.

74:33

Corner from the right by-line taken by Aaron Doran, Richie Foran takes a shot. Save by Robbie Thomson.

73:54

John Gemmell gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Raven. Gary Warren takes the direct free kick.

73:13

Corner taken by Scott Buist from the right by-line.

71:49

The ball is sent over by Ross Draper, Ross McMillan makes a clearance.

70:41

Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Buist on Gary Warren. Free kick taken by Richie Foran.

70:06

Effort on goal by Kevin McKinlay from just inside the area clears the bar.

69:50

Centre by Greg Ross, David Raven makes a clearance.

67:22

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Brown Ferguson, clearance by Gary Warren.

69:07

The offside flag is raised against Billy McKay. Free kick taken by Greg Ross.

68:09 Substitution

Substitution Craig Anderson on for Sean Dickson.

67:22

Aaron Doran takes the outswinging corner, clearance made by Ross McMillan.

67:07

Effort on goal by Andrew Shinnie from just inside the area clears the crossbar.

65:40

The ball is swung over by Conor Pepper, Robbie Thomson makes a save.

64:21

Bryan Hodge takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by David Raven.

63:53

Greg Ross produces a cross, clearance made by Josh Meekings.

62:22

David Raven challenges Brown Ferguson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Ross McMillan restarts play with the free kick.

61:09

A cross is delivered by Andrew Shinnie, David Raven produces a right-footed shot from close in which goes wide of the right-hand upright.

55:38

Andrew Shinnie takes a shot. Save made by Robbie Thomson.

55:13

The ball is sent over by Aaron Doran, save by Robbie Thomson.

54:38

David Raven sends in a cross, Bryan Hodge makes a clearance.

54:23

Gary Warren crosses the ball, clearance made by Ross McMillan.

53:43

The assistant referee flags for offside against John Gemmell. Direct free kick taken by Ryan Esson.

53:17

Shot from long distance by Kevin McKinlay goes wide of the left-hand upright.

52:05

Graeme Shinnie is penalised for a handball. John Gemmell shoots direct from the free kick.

51:46

Billy McKay takes a shot. Save by Robbie Thomson.

51:25

Scott Buist gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andrew Shinnie. Richie Foran takes the free kick.

49:38

Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Buist on Andrew Shinnie. Aaron Doran delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, save by Robbie Thomson.

47:38

Effort from deep inside the area by John Gemmell misses to the left of the goal.

45:55

Richie Foran challenges Scott Buist unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Robbie Thomson.

45:33

John Gemmell is ruled offside. Gary Warren takes the direct free kick.

45:16

Richie Foran produces a cross, clearance by Scott Buist.

45:01

The referee gets the second half started.

45:00 +0:05 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

44:21

The assistant referee signals for offside against John Gemmell. Josh Meekings restarts play with the free kick.

43:37

A cross is delivered by Sean Dickson, Stewart Kean takes a shot.

42:58

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Iain Thomson by Ross Draper. Kevin McKinlay restarts play with the free kick.

42:00

Iain Thomson challenges Richie Foran unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Gary Warren.

41:38

The ball is delivered by Aaron Doran, save made by Robbie Thomson.

39:48

Corner taken right-footed by Aaron Doran from the right by-line, Kevin McKinlay makes a clearance.

39:12 Goal scored

Goal - Brown Ferguson - Stenh'muir 1 - 1 Inverness Brown Ferguson scores a placed penalty. Stenhousemuir 1-1 Inverness CT.

38:24

Foul by David Raven on Brown Ferguson, Penalty awarded.

37:53

Brown Ferguson takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Richie Foran makes a clearance.

37:04

Free kick awarded for a foul by Josh Meekings on Stewart Kean. Free kick crossed left-footed by Bryan Hodge from left channel, clearance by Josh Meekings.

34:13

Billy McKay is caught offside. Kevin McKinlay takes the direct free kick.

32:54

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Graeme Shinnie by Brown Ferguson. Free kick taken by Graeme Shinnie.

31:36

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kevin McKinlay on Aaron Doran. David Raven takes the free kick.

30:37

Corner taken by Aaron Doran from the right by-line played to the near post.

28:54

Andrew Shinnie takes a shot. Save by Robbie Thomson.

28:02

Billy McKay takes a shot. Blocked by Robbie Thomson.

24:36

Ross Draper is penalised for a handball. Bryan Hodge restarts play with the free kick.

24:05

Brown Ferguson produces a header from inside the area that goes over the bar.

23:22

Centre by Kevin McKinlay, Ryan Esson manages to make a clearance.

22:21

Assist on the goal came from Richie Foran.

22:21 Goal scored

Goal - Billy McKay - Stenh'muir 0 - 1 Inverness Billy McKay finds the net with a headed goal from deep inside the penalty area. Stenhousemuir 0-1 Inverness CT.

21:28

Centre by Billy McKay, clearance by Scott Buist.

20:18

Iain Thomson challenges Andrew Shinnie unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Aaron Doran from left wing, Kevin McKinlay makes a clearance.

17:26

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ross Draper by Brown Ferguson. Richie Foran takes the direct free kick.

14:54

Sean Dickson produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses right.

13:46

Ross McMillan fouled by Billy McKay, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ross McMillan.

13:21

Centre by Stewart Kean, Ryan Esson makes a save.

12:08

Shot from 25 yards from Aaron Doran. Save by Robbie Thomson.

10:44

Gary Warren gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on John Gemmell. Free kick taken by Kevin McKinlay.

9:31

Andrew Shinnie challenges Brown Ferguson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Kevin McKinlay.

8:38

David Raven challenges Kevin McKinlay unfairly and gives away a free kick. Kevin McKinlay takes the direct free kick.

8:05

Bryan Hodge gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andrew Shinnie. Direct free kick taken by Graeme Shinnie.

6:51

John Gemmell has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.

4:17

The assistant referee flags for offside against John Gemmell. Ryan Esson takes the free kick.

2:50

Free kick awarded for a foul by David Raven on Kevin McKinlay. Iain Thomson restarts play with the free kick.

0:54

The ball is delivered by Brown Ferguson, clearance made by Gary Warren.

0:00

The game kicks-off.

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