It has been around four months since Clarkson started a first team game but Butcher took the view that a change was needed up front and Hamilton found himself on the bench. Smith was unable to resume duties so Meldrum kept his place between the sticks.
Inverness kicked off facing the two hundred Motherwell fans who had made the trip north. Although the pitch was perfectly playable the icy temperature and occasional snow flurries did little to encourage silky smooth football.
Craigan was called into action after a minute and he cleared off the line. ICT had most of the way of a goal threats and Meldrum had to produce a fine save late on in the half.
There were plenty of misplaced passes and loose balls on show. Hammell produced a well struck free kick but Brown watched it sail by the post.
The second forty five started with ICT substitute Morgan getting booked for a dive but minutes later we took the lead when Foran beat Brown from the penalty spot. Tokely clipped McCormack inside the box and the referee correctly awarded the penalty.
We should have had a second spot kick five minutes later when McDonald was set loose inside the box with only the keeper to beat. Brown advanced and caught McDonald with his outstretched arm and the wee man tumbled expecting to hear the whistle but none came.
Clarkson then laid a perfect ball in the path of Corrigan but his attempt was poor and the target was missed. We started to dig in and strengthen our defences. McLean and Craigan commanded the area and ICT tried to figure a way to level the game. O’Donnell replaced McBride with ten minutes on the clock.
Foran forced Brown into a save with a looping header then immediately tracked back sixty yards in pursuit of the resulting breakaway. McGarry replaced McDonald and Jim Paterson came on for Foran. We continued to push forward when possible and had a few efforts. Paterson came close with a header.