In the showdown at Mosset Park, Forres, 300 fans were treated to 90 minutes of non-stop action as the Highland League club pushed the Inverness side to the brink before losing 3-2.

The SFL Division One club fielded four first-team squad players - David Proctor, Roy McBain, Lionel Djebi-Zadi and Adam Rooney - along with the best of their emerging talent.

Coached by assistant manager Maurice Malpas, with boss Terry Butcher watching from the stands, ICT got off to the perfect start with a goal after just three minutes.

Young Gavin Morrison steered a low deflected free-kick from the edge of the box past Callum Donaldson in the Nairn goal to open the scoring.

Play raged from end to end before Caley Thistle doubled their advantage on the half hour.

Morrison flighted a free-kick into the box and impressive forward Shane Sutherland rose to guide a header into the far corner of the net.

With Nairn facing a huge task, they were thrown a lifeline just before the break when ICT keeper Kyle Allison spilled a Gregg Main free-kick, which then rolled over the line.

This 2-1 scoreline gave Nairn hope and they came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half.

Despite threatening the Inverness CT penalty box, they could not break through and it was the Division One boys who were next to score.

Rooney controlled a Nick Ross cross which came in from the right flank and steered a low drive past Donaldson.

With 10 minutes to go, Nairn ensured this showdown would have a thrilling climax as sub Willie Barron knocked home a delivery from Tony Low.

Nairn threw everything at ICT in the final stages, but it was the Caley Jags who headed west with the silverware.

Nairn County: Donaldson, Hind, MacKintosh, Campbell, Kerr (Barron 74), MacKay, Brian MacLeod, Low, Skinner, Gregg Main, Sanderson (Glenn Main 85). Subs not used: Ridgers (GK), Coletto, Paul MacLeod.

Inverness CT: Allison, Jack Sutherland, Djebi-Zadi, Proctor, Shinnie, Morrison, Ross, McAskill, Rooney, Shane Sutherland, McBain (Park 79). Subs not used: Kinnaird (GK), Laing, Fraser, Polworth.

* Meanwhile, in the Highland League on Saturday, Clach slumped to a 3-1 home defeat against newcomers Formartine United.

Sloppy defending allowed the visitors to score twice in the first 10 minutes through Stuart Cumming and Stuart McKay.

Clach found themselves 3-0 down on 65 minutes when Barry Somers bagged his fifth of the season.

The Lilies' Alan Pollock scored their consolation goal 10 minutes from time.

Deveronvale moved into second spot behind Cove Rangers when they won 4-2 at third-placed Fraserburgh, while Huntly's 3-1 home success against Forres Mechanics sees them soar into fourth spot.

Wick Academy blasted Rothes 7-1, Inverurie Locos were 3-1 victors at home to Brora Rangers and a late goal saw Keith beat Lossiemouth 1-0.

Buckie Thistle, meanwhile, sprang a surprise in the Aberdeenshire Cup Final when they beat Highland League leaders Cove Rangers 2-0 at Turriff.

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