Inverness relegated from SPL after final day drama

Inverness Caledonian Thistle were relegated from the Scottish Premier League on Saturday after losing their final game of the season 1-0 to fellow strugglers Falkirk.

Caley, managed by Scotland assistant coach Terry Butcher, kicked off one point and one place above the relegation zone and knew that a draw against bottom of the table Falkirk would ensure their survival.

But Ross Tokely was sent off in the first half at Caledonian Stadium and Falkirk’s Michael Higdon scored the second half winner that rescued the visitors and sent Caley down on goal difference.

Richie Foran should have given the hosts the lead after 12 minutes only to be denied by a magnificent save from Dani Mallo.

Caley enjoyed the better chances of the half but were reduced to 10 men just before the break when Tokely was dismissed for a last-man challenge on Steve Lovell.

Falkirk took advantage of the extra man when Higdon turned home Jackie McNamara’s cross after 68 minutes to ensure the Bairns remained in the top flight.

Butcher claimed Inverness couldn’t dwell on Tokey’s sending-off too much because they were at fault for wasting chances to score.

“I have only seen the incident once but I think there was doubt about it being a goalscoring opportunity. But there is no point being bitter. We have had opportunities to get ourselves out of trouble and we only have ourselves to blame,” Butcher said.

“To lose out on goal difference is a really bitter pill to swallow. I thought we did really well and everything looked to be coming to fruition before the red card came along.

“We weren’t far away and that makes it even more galling and soul destroying. Had we been relegated seven or eight games ago it may have felt different but to have gone so close is very hard to take.”

John Hughes, Falkirk’s manager, said: “We got the goal and I’m really pleased for the players and the supporters.

“I feel we won it a bit by default with the sending off, you never want to win a game like that. But a lot has gone against us over the season and we’ll gladly take it, though we wish Inverness all the best.”

St Mirren retained their top-flight status despite losing 1-0 to Hamilton.

Accies defender Simon Mensing headed the visitors in front from Brian Easton’s 28th minute corner.

Although St Mirren couldn’t get an equaliser they stayed up because their goal difference was two goals better than Inverness’s.

St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson said: “As much as we are still in the SPL, we are disappointed, that’s the overall feeling.

“We are disappointed that we lost another home game and we played nowhere near as well as we did last week at Falkirk. That is frustrating.”

Mehdi Taouil scored in the last minute to give Kilmarnock a 2-1 victory at Motherwell.

Brian McLean looked to have earned Motherwell a point with a cool finish with 10 minutes left to cancel out Danny Invincibile’s opener.

But Taouil saved one of the best moments of Killie’s season for the last minute with a jinking run and finish.

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies said: “I don’t think you could finish the season with a better goal. To show that much composure and skill in the box was great.”

Rangers can win the Scottish title for the first time in four years if they beat Dundee United on Sunday. If Walter Smith’s team draw or lose, Celtic can retain the title with victory over Hearts.