Inverness CT 3-0 Partick Thistle: Loan star Morais gives Caley timely fillip ahead of more pressing matters in the league

Inverness CT 3

Morais 27, 56; Vigurs 46

Partick Thistle 0

FILIPE Morais, unloved at Easter Road, guaranteed an instant sense of belonging in the Highlands with a superb debut double that fired Caley Thistle with renewed belief for the SPL survival struggle ahead.

Less than 24 hours after putting pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season, the 23-year-old lit up a gloomy afternoon at the Caledonian Stadium.

The fourth-round triumph will mean little to the gravest matter in hand – avoiding relegation – but Caley Thistle at least travel south for a monumentally-important tussle with Hamilton Accies with spirits refreshed.

This was the first occasion since September Caley Thistle had managed more than a goal at home. Even before a ball was kicked, the hosts were given a timely reminder of what life might hold next season should disaster strike.

The pelting rain ensured empty seats aplenty around the windswept stadium, with the First Division side's visit clearly failing to capture the imagination.

Tall Latvian Pavels Mihadjuks earned an instant start after completing his move from national champions FK Ventspils late on Friday night and looked instantly comfortable at centre half.

But it was the Portugeuse attacker, Morais, snapped up the same day from Hibs, who was to enjoy a dream start at his new club.

After five minutes, a Roy McBain strike from 25 yards flashed just over. Three minutes later, Morais cut a dash into the Partick box but his chipped cross from the right soared just too high for Andy Barrowman to connect.

Caley began to settle and dominate possession with Partick restricted to a small clutch of long-range efforts throughout the first half.

After Barrowman cut a shot just wide of Johnny Tuffey's right hand post from the right channel of the box, Liam Buchanan forced what was to prove a rare save from restored Caley keeper Michael Fraser.

Away defender John Robertson had to be replaced soon after being clattered by Barrowman near the touchline. Only allowances made for the exceptionally greasy surface spared the striker a card.

Morais then took his cue from Partick's defensive reshuffle. The Maryhill side looked hesitant as the 23-year-old glided onto a simple through ball, steadied and struck low into the keeper's right hand corner from 25 yards.

Thereafter, Gary Harkins managed a couple of long-range attempts but Ian McCall's men looked out-of-sorts.

Caley Thistle have lost five or six early second-half goals this season but gave Partick a taste of their medicine with a crucial second a minute after the re-start.

Russell Duncan and Don Cowie linked to cut a swathe through the visitors, with the latter threading to Iain Vigurs in the left channel of the box. The young midfielder showed no hesitancy before spectacularly tucking a high, 15-yard shot into the roof of the net.

Suddenly Partick sparked to life, albeit briefly, with a Kevin McKinlay cross seeing substitute Scott Chaplain denied at the near-post by keeper Fraser.

Morais' sparkling debut continued with the third after 56 minutes. He sped on to a Duncan ball and calmly tucked it past Tuffey from 12-yards.

Partick played some neat football before the close but lacked a cutting edge to trouble Caley Thistle. The same again would do Brewster nicely next weekend.