ROSS COUNTY'S blue match jerseys were left behind in Dingwall in a bizarre mix-up before kick-off but it was Caley Thistle who were posted missing 14 miles along the road.

Only in the closing stages did John Hughes' men muster the kind of competitive menace they have been renowned for in this northerly meeting.

But it wasn't enough to prevent the Dingwall team booking a place in the first League Cup semi-final of their history after goals from Jackson Irvine and Michael Gardyne.

Greg Tansey's late reply stoked nerves for County, but manager Jim McIntyre said: "I'm thrilled. It's been a long time coming. In four attempts we hadn't won.

"It's nice to get that monkey off our back and some of our play was fantastic - we should have scored more goals.

"We controlled most of it. We had some real good opportunities to kill the game but unfortunately for us we never took them.

"It is a sign of progress for the club. It has been a long time since the club's day out at Hampden and the record in the cup since then hasn't been great.

"So we wanted to make sure this season that we tried to reach the latter stages."

Suddenly, the joyous scenes of Hampden Park last May seem a distant memory for John Hughes and his injury-hit squad.

A pre-match glance at the record-books was reminder of Caley Thistle's past derby dominance - with 24 wins to County's 11 since 1994.

This, though, was to be Jim McIntyre's first win in the Highland fixture at the fifth attempt since joining the Staggies 13 months ago.

Injured Ross Draper's influence was to be badly missed in home ranks as the midfield battle raged, with County progressively gaining the upper hand.

Throughout, the Staggies looked a greater threat going forward. Caley Thistle, in contrast, mustered little and lacked inspiration.

There had been a spot of comic confusion pre-match as both sides warmed up wearing white strips, with County hastily dispatching a driver to retrieve their blue kit.

County were soon in the driving seat, but early on on-loan Swindon striker Miles Storey raced through to be thwarted smartly by County keeper Gary Woods.

Liam Boyce, County's Northern Ireland international, swept a powerful 20-yard strike over the bar and then met a dangerous Dingwall cross with a glancing header just wide.

When Martin Woods rocketed a 35-yard shot off the underside of the Caley Thistle bar it was clear the hosts were creaking.

After a lull, the breakthrough finally came four minutes before the break.

Woods' corner from the left held pace and Irvine, the Australia international, knocked a brilliant eight-yard header into the corner of the net after sneaking in front of defender Raven.

Hughes men were in trouble three minutes into the second period.

Craig Curran's swept pass was the catalyst for a superb bit of skill from Michael Gardyne, showing sublime control before flashing a 12-yard finish past a helpless Fon Williams.

The hosts were in increasing disarray and a Fon Williams blunder allowed Gardyne a goal-bound shot only for Josh Meekings to block on the line.

There was a flicker of hope for there home side after 73 minutes as Ryan Christie's flicked effort struck the post.

And it was game on 12 minutes from the end, with Greg Tansey's marvellous strike from more than 30 yards halving the deficit.

Inevitably, momentum swept behind the home side as they sought to grasp an extra-time lifeline, but it was too little, too late from Inverness.

Home manager John Hughes was clear on where blame lay.

He said: "There was plenty of spirit and commitment, but we just lacked it in the final third."

Inverness CT Fon Williams; Raven (Sutherland 82), Devine, Meekings, Tremarco; Tansey, Polworth; Vincent, Christie, Vigurs (Williams 62); Storey. Subs: Esson, Wedderburn, Horner.

Booked: Vigurs 31, Raven 74

Ross County Woods; Fraser, Robertson, Davies, Reckord; Gardyne (Foster 85), Woods, Irvine, Dingwall (Murdoch 80); Boyce, Curran (Schalk 87). Subs: Severn, Boyd, Graham, Franks.

Booked: Woods 57, Davies 81

Referee: Steven McLean