THE play-off dream is still alive for Inverness Caledonian Thistle – however slim – as they produced the win they needed.

They will now take the battle with Dunfermline to the final day after Liam Polworth’s goal sealed the deal against Livingston.

However, the odds are still firmly stacked in the Fifers’ favour as they hold a two-point lead and superior goal difference.

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Caley have to win at Cappielow and hope that Dumbarton beat Dunfermline at East End Park, which seems unlikely.

Manager John Robertson said: “It’s frustrating because had things gone to plan last Saturday and we had held on for the win we would be in the play-off spot.

“But I can do nothing but praise the players because lesser sides would have come to Livingston and feel sorry for ourselves.

“All we can do is keep Dunfermline honest by winning the match so we just have to produce the same result at Morton and hope for a football miracle.

“We understand Stevie Aitken might rest players ahead of their play-off and we understand that.

“Do we expect Dunfermline to lose? No and if they get the point they need then fair play to them but we have asked the question and that’s all you can do.”

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The only goal came less than 30 seconds into the second half and Robertson missed it because nature called.

Carl Tremarco played the ball in from the left and Polworth took one touch before lashing a 25-yard drive low into the left corner.

He said: “I didn’t even see the goal! At my age, I was still in the dressing room having a wee widdle! I came out and one of the kit-men said ‘you’ve missed the goal’.

“But my bench weren’t telling me. Eventually, after 15 minutes of the second half I cracked and said ‘did we score?’ They were saying ‘no, it got chalked off’. It was a bit of a laugh.

“But, no it was a tight game against a Livi side who have done terrific and thoroughly deserve to finish in second.

“It has been an unbelievable effort from the players, an unbelievable run since the cup final. Now we have just got to try and complete the job on Saturday.

“The first target was Livingston; the second target is to win on Saturday and try to finish the season on a high with an unbeaten run.”

Livi had been the better side in the first half and could have been two or three up if they had taken their chances.

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Mark Ridgers made a brave block to deny Scott Robinson in 10 minutes. Ryan Hardie then had a shot deflected wide a minute later before Rafa De Vita’s header was cleared off the line by Tremarco in 14 minutes.

They were lucky to survive again a minute later when Hardie was sent racing through on Ridgers by Jordan Thompson but he rushed his shot allowing the relieved keeper to save.

Once ahead, Inverness looked strong and they nearly scored with a similar move from the right side in 65 minutes.

This time Polworth was the provider as he drove the ball across the face of the box for Joe Chalmers who tried to find the left corner but Gary Maley made a good save.

Now it’s on to Saturday with Caley hoping for a miracle.