The Motherwell team lined up in 4-5-1 formation in what many assume to be a standard Craig Brown tactic with Jutkiewicz the lone striker. Sutton was relegated to the bench and Forbes was out due to the injury he picked up at Kilmarnock. Humphrey and Saunders were the imports.
A long journey home for the 'Well fans
The home team kicked off and faced the two hundred 'Well fans behind Ruddy's goal. The scrappy early stages had no incidents other that a crunching tackle by Tokely on Jutkiewicz which caused the striker to leave the park for treatment.
We had to wait 33 minutes for the first shot on target. Jutkiewicz collected the ball wide on the left and caused Esson to smother his attempt at the post. Until then there had been a couple of corners for Motherwell and a few blocked attempts at either end. Jutkiewicz had a better attempt a few minutes later when Lasley set him up in a through the middle. His fierce shot rattled off the keeper to safety.
Inverness earned their first corner five minutes before the interval and they made the best of the chance. Tokely headed the ball back into the mix and Craigan blocked the following shot on the line. It fell for Belvitis who lashed it home from close range.
A change was needed and Brown choose to throw Murphy on at the expense of Saunders. Hateley moved to right back and we set about finding the equaliser. The alteration added some spice to our attack but our hopes were dashed just after the hour when Imrie (who as on the deck looking injured moments before) collected the ball just inside the box before firing low, under the diving Ruddy, into the far corner.
Sutton replaced Humphrey as we committed everything to attack then Forbes came on for Coke. The home team were by now full of confidence and a yard faster. We had no rhythm and were struggling to string passes together.
O'Brien was hauled down just outside the box but Forbes' effort gave Esson a simple catch. The ICT defence held firm and we made it easy for them. Our passes went astray and our long balls were meat and drink to their back line.