Uche Ikpeazu’s late strike gave St Johnstone all three points in the Premier Sports Cup Group F, as Caley Thistle lost 1-0 at the Caledonian.

The substitute found the net late on following a good turn and finish into the bottom corner from just inside the box.

Caley Thistle had good spells in the match and some good chances to break the deadlock before the visitors won it late on.

Head Coach Scott Kellacher was forced into a change from Tuesday night’s 2-0 win against Elgin City, as Ross Millen missed out through a knock was replaced by Alfie Stewart with Calum MacLeod going in at right-back.

The first chance of the match fell Caley Thistle’s way after just 4 minutes, a good through ball from Alfie Stewart round David Wotherspoon down the right side and his ball across the box found Billy Mckay in the middle but his effort was saved by Toby Steward.

St Johnstone grew into the first half and had their first big chance after 25 minutes, Josh McPake’s ball in the box found its way to Adama Sidibeh and Ross Munro produced a fantastic save to keep out the St Johnstone striker.

The Saints stayed on top for the remainer for the first-half with Ross Munro keeping out half chances from Reghan Tumilty and Mackenzie Kirk. Jamie Gullan also had a big chance in the box before the break, but his effort was blasted over.

The second-half started cagey with no real chances in the opening exchanges.

Caley Thistle got on top in game around the hour mark, Alfie Stewart break clear and his ball was inches away from reaching Liam Sole in the box but it was cut out.

Liam Sole made a real impact coming off the bench and drew a foul against former Livi teammate Reece McAlear.

After 72 minutes, Danny Devine saw his header collected by Toby Steward after he met Paul Allan’s free-kick in the box.

After 78 minutes, Sole drew another foul and yellow card, this time with Matthew Foulds and Alfie Stewart saw his free-kick tipped over the bar.

On the 90th minute, St Johnstone took the lead through Uche Ikpeazu’s strike. The striker took Stevie Mallan’s pass in the box and turned with his back to goal to slide the ball into the bottom corner.

Caley Thistle rallied for the added time, Joe Chalmers tried his luck from the kick-off and saw his effort from the halfway line tipped over for a corner.

While in the third minute of added time, Liam Sole saw his effort defected behind.

Caley Thistle now face two back-to-back away matches against East Kilbride on Tuesday night and then Raith Rovers on Saturday to close out Group F.

ICT: Munro, MacLeod, Devine (C), Savage, Strachan, Chalmers, Allan, Stewart (Kerr 90’), Wotherspoon (Sole 59’), Longstaff (Corner 69’), Mckay (Alonge 59’)

ST JOHNSTONE: Steward, Tumilty, Dibate, Boyes, Holt (C), Sidibeh (Mallan 46’), Gullan (Svedberg 63’), Foulds, Sprangler (McAlear 63’), McPake (Steven 79’), Kirk (Ikpeazu 79’)

Attendance: 1585

Dogfalls Man of the Match: Ross Munro