Peterhead went down 2-0 at Inverness Caledonian Thistle in their second Group game of the Premier Sports Cup. The game was goalless at half-time however goals early in the second half from Manny Duku and Aaron Doran saw the Highlanders triumph.
Balmoor boss Jim McInally freshened up his side following Saturday’s defeat by the same score-line from Hearts by making seven changes with Brett Long given a debut in goals, Jason Brown returning to a defensive role after a ban and captain Scott Brown also coming back to action after suspension with Alan Cook, Jordon Brown, Derryn Kesson and Derek Lyle also starting.
New recruit Jadel Mushanu was on the bench following the completion of his move from City of Liverpool FC.
The Blue Toon started well with Lyle and Jordon Brown threatening however Doran had the first real opening with a shot that was dealt with by Long on 14 minutes.
Shortly afterwards recent Inverness signing Duku had a shot blocked and former Peterhead front-man Shane Sutherland fired the loose ball across the face of the visitors’ goal.
Long made another smart stop from Doran before Peterhead threatened again on the half hour mark with a free-kick from Ryan Conroy that was looking for a touch from a colleague.
Caley’s Sean Welsh headed over from close range four minutes later with team-mate Tom Walsh and Duku also failing to find the net before the break.
The visiting side’s hopes of a shock took a dent on 52 minutes when Walsh found Duku and the striker cracked home.
Peterhead looked to hit back however they fell further behind four minutes later when Doran finally found a way past Long with the Irishman shooting home from 25 yards.
The Blue Toon rallied and enjoyed the best of the closing stages but they were denied the goal their play deserved with substitute Russell Mclean having a header saved by Mark Ridgers and then seeing a shot from a tight angle just clear the bar.
Peterhead – Long, Mulligan, McDonald, Jason Brown, Conroy, Scott Brown, Kesson (Cameron 46), Jordon Brown (Payne 55), Ritchie (Strachan 86), Cook (Ferry 55), Lyle (McLean 55)
Unused substitutes – Mushanu, Wilson (G/k)