Ferguson's Inverness held by Montrose in play-off
Montrose made more of the chances at Link's Park against Caley Thistle
- Published
Inverness Caledonian Thistle played out a goalless draw away to League 1 side Montrose in the first leg of their play-off semi-final as they seek to avoid being relegated from the Scottish Championship.
Against Stewart Petrie's team, who finished fourth in the third tier, the closest Inverness came to a victory to take into the return was when Samson Lawal lashed a shot against the crossbar from range.
Duncan Ferguson's side dug in for a draw as they try to cling to their Championship status, having not played outside of the top two divisions since 1999.
Montrose, who occupied the final play-off spot in League 1 despite finishing 37 points behind champions Falkirk, went closest through Aidan Quinn's header.
The sides meet again at Caledonian Stadium on Saturday for the right to play either Hamilton Academical or Alloa Athletic in the final.
Kevin O’Hara grabbed Hamilton’s equaliser against former club Alloa as they drew the first leg of their play-off game 2-2.
There was little to pick between the League 1 sides at the Indodrill Stadium as the visitors held a narrow lead at the break through former Wasps loanee Euan Henderson.
However, Alloa netted twice in the first nine minutes of the second half, Taylor Steven producing a classy finish to level the score and Kurtis Roberts following up with a decisive finish as Accies flagged under pressure.
O’Hara then gave the home fans a reminder of his finishing prowess as he headed home 15 minutes from time.
In the League 1 play-offs, Blair Henderson scored a penalty four minutes into added time as Spartans squeezed a slender advantage against League 2 runners-up Peterhead.
Spartans, in their first season at senior level, had fallen behind after just eight minutes when Peterhead’s Conor O’Keefe burst clear and lobbed goalkeeper Blair Carswell.
But Paul Watson slid home the equaliser from a corner in the 17th minute and Carswell’s heroics kept the Edinburgh side in the tie.
There was also a late penalty in the other tie, Tony Wallace giving hosts Dumbarton a 2-1 lead against Stirling Albion.
The Sons snatched an early lead against their League 1 opponents when James Hilton headed home from a Kalvin Orsi cross.
However, Stirling equalised when when Cammy Clark’s long ball found Dale Hilson, who cut inside and fired home before Wallace gave the side who finished fourth in League 2 the advantage heading into Saturday’s return fixture.