Inverness CT 2-0 Stirling Albion

Inverness Caledonian Thistle set up a fifth round visit to Motherwell with a routine Scottish Cup replay win over Stirling Albion.

Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo sent the trophy holders on their way with a powerful shot from distance on 28 minutes.

On the hour, a strong run from Ross Draper was finished off by Iain Vigurs on the edge of the penalty area.

The League Two part-timers worked hard but failed to trouble home goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams.

It was far form a classic encounter but a case of job done for the hosts following a 0-0 draw at Forthbank 10 days ago.

The visitors showed early intent, with Steven Doris attempting to outpace the defence only for Danny Williams to haul him down on the edge of the box.

Doris' free kick sailed over but that did suggest Stuart McLaren's side fancied themselves as capable of threatening.

Inverness enjoyed a lot of possession and after earning a number of corners, Liam Polworth found space but leaned back as his shot sailed over.

It was all a bit pedestrian until Mbuyi-Mutombo took the initiative and grabbed his first goal for the club in style.

Up until that point, the visiting defence had looked very organised but they backed off as Mbuyi-Mutombo cut inside and looked a little surprised as he thundered a drive just inside the post.

It was a moment of inspiration that the home side badly required.

Danny Devine nearly touched home from close range as the home side continued to enjoy substantial possession but did not look like adding to their tally too often.

Fisher was hurt after coming on as a second-half substitute

You wondered if Stirling might get one opportunity and they did create a bit of a scare; substitute Mark Lamont fired over before Ross Forsyth screamed for a penalty when his shot was blocked in the box by Devine but play was rightly waived on.

The threat of an upset was quickly extinguished by another fine finish when Vigurs stepped onto Draper's cut back and side-footed a terrific effort into the corner to put the outcome beyond doubt.

A late injury to recent signing striker Alex Fisher was perhaps the main cause for concern in an otherwise comfortable evening for the cup holders.

Inverness CT manager John Hughes: "We're sending Alex to hospital to get an x-ray, so fingers crossed. He's come down and twisted it [his ankle].

"That's just the luck we've had this year with injuries. He's a good lad with plenty of running in him and we need him back.

"Stirling Albion were organised and resolute and there were a few scary moments early on when they broke on us.

"It's a clean sheet and I think it's the first time this season we've won both halves of a football match, so we'll take the positives and I'm delighted to be in the hat for the next round."