Inverness CT 0-0 Arbroath: Scottish Premiership play-off semi-final first leg ends goalless
- Published
The teams meet for the second leg on Friday
Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Arbroath head into the second leg of the Scottish Premiership play-off semi-final all square after a goalless draw in the Highlands.
Dick Campbell's side had the better of the first-half opportunities but failed to adequately test keeper Mark Ridgers in the Inverness goal.
On-loan attacker Logan Chalmers rattled the crossbar in the first half in the closest attempt for the hosts, who dominated the second spell but could not find a way past Derek Gaston.
The decider will be played on Friday night at Gayfield, kicking off at 19:45 BST live on the BBC Scotland channel and the BBC Sport website & app.
Arbroath went into this contest energised, having had 10 days rest following their second-place finish in the Scottish Championship.
That break was telling in the first half, with Thomas O'Brien and the league's top scorer Michael McKenna both squandering chances to take the lead.
After half an hour, Inverness had yet to register a shot, but they came closest to opening the scoring when on-loan Dundee United attacker Chalmers' left-footed drive rasped off the crossbar.
The most exciting moment of the match at that point, it was a timely reminder for Arbroath that the Thistle still posed a threat.
The visitors then went up the pitch and Nicky Low's free-kick forced an excellent save from Ridgers.
The second half continued in much the same vein. Chalmers threatened again, continuing his good run of form, but when he was released on the right-hand side of the area he could only drag his shot wide.
The next Inverness effort was on target as Austin Samuels - who scored the winner in Inverness' quarter-final first-leg win over Partick Thistle last week - saw his hooked-half volley turned away by Gaston.
With 20 minutes to go, Inverness were in the ascendancy as Aaron Doran volleyed narrowly over, before Kirk Broadfoot nodded over from a yard out.
Ultimately, neither side could break through, though, and they head to the Angus coast with all to play for on Friday.
What they said
Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Billy Dodds: "I'm happy we're in there pitching because it's going to be so tight on Friday. There's going to be nerves and tension because both teams have left themselves in a decent position.
"I didn't think we played our best but we had the best chances. We hit the bar first half but we weren't doing the things we're good at. Second-half was a bit better; thought we created the better chances but we just couldn't take one."
Arbroath manager Dick Campbell: "If you'd asked me before the game if I'd be happy with that, I would be. The game is still alive and that's all I wanted to happen. The strongest survives on Friday.
"We will have a go and have our trumpets out. What does it mean to us? You'll see on Friday. They're part-time players. Two games this week, two games next week. It definitely sways towards the full-time clubs. Even if they lose, they'll still be immortal in my eyes."