Caley Thistle booked their place in the Scottish Cup Quarter Finals with a stunning 3-0 win against Livingston away from home.
A brace from Billy Mckay and a goal from club captain Sean Welsh all came in the second-half as the Caley Jags pulled off another Cup Shock.
The big pre-match team news for Caley Thistle was Robbie Deas returned to the squad from a broken leg he picked up in late October. From last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Morton, the Caley Jags made two changes with Sean Welsh and Nathan Shaw coming into the side for Zak Delaney and Aaron Doran.
The game started in an even fashion. Nathan Shaw was picked out on the edge of the box after just three minutes from an Caley Thistle corner but his effort deflected off Billy Mckay and into the gloves of Livingston keeper Shamal George.
After 11 minutes, Livingston had a couple of chances of their own as Steven Bradley saw his free-kick tipped wide by Mark Ridgers while the resulting corner found Joel Nouble free in the box but his effort was over the bar.
After a couple of dangerous counter attacks, Caley Thistle threatened with another as Nathan Shaw’s pass found Daniel MacKay but there was just a bit too much power on the winger’s cross before Billy Mckay could reach it.
Livingston had a big chance after 38 minutes, the ball fell to Ayo Obileye and he dragged his effort wide.
In the second-half, after 52 minutes Caley Thistle took the lead through a superb Billy Mckay finish as the striker latched on to Jay Henderson’s pass and fired his shot into the top corner and past Shamal George.
Caley Thistle doubled their lead ten minutes later as Nathan Shaw’s cross picked out Sean Welsh in the box and he guided his header past Shamal George and into the back of the net via the post.
Billy Mckay rounded things off, as he got his second of the match in sensational fashion. Sean Welsh won the ball high up the pitch with some good pressing and played the ball to Nathan Shaw, who found Mckay with a quick pass and the in-form striker put the ball into the top corner past Shamal George.