Inverness player-manager Craig Brewster picked himself for the first time - but had to rely on defender Stuart Golabek to spare him embarrassment and score the goal which took the Caley through to the next round of the Tennent's Scottish Cup at St Johnstone's expense.

The former Dunfermline striker should have opened his account for the club with an easy tap-in, but produced an uncharacteristically sloppy finish when presented with an open goal.

His blushes were saved by Golabek who sent a powerful header beyond Kevin Cuthbert to send the Highlanders into tomorrow's draw.

The game's first two early chances fell to Brewster, but the veteran striker was well marshalled by the Saints defence.

First he tried to power his way past Ian Maxwell to get on the end of Roy McBain's cross from the left, but the former Ross County man stood firm.

Then, in the 10th minute, he got in ahead of Sean Webb, another former Victoria Park player in the Saints' ranks, but the Northern Irishman got his body in the way and did enough to ensure Brewster's header lacked any real power.

The visitors men were rather subdued in the opening stages, but showed some degree of attacking flair in the 14th minute.

Peter MacDonald broke free on the right flank and teed up Ryan McCann with a perfect first-time ball.

The former Celtic youngster - now in his second spell with the Perth club - slipped at the vital moment and Russell Duncan mopped up the danger.

They created another great opportunity in the 25th minute when Paul Sheerin and Michael Moore combined to leave Ian Maxwell free at the back post.

The centre-half intelligently drew to the back post in anticipation of Moore's flicked header, but could not find the target with a left-foot volley.

Caley looked slovenly at the back and they almost paid a heavy price for indecision from goalkeeper Mark Brown and his defence. They all stopped, allowing Peter MacDonald's low cross to zip through the six-yard box.

Luckily there were no Saints players waiting, but they were handed another reprieve when referee Dougie MacDonald decided Sheerin's follow-up shot did not hit Ross Tokely on the arm, despite the visitors' protests.

The official was soon again at the centre of things, ticking off Brewster for changing his boots without first seeking permission.

Cuthbert had to show excellent reflexes to punch away Golabek's shot, which caught the swirling wind and flew towards goal.

Caley ended the half the stronger of the two sides and were inches away from taking the lead.

Duncan advanced up field and thundered a 25-yard drive off the post, the ball then fell to Tokely but he blazed over.

Moore was penalised in the 55th minute for going in dangerously on Mark Brown as the goalkeeper dived to smother the ball.

Cuthbert had to face a 25-yard free-kick five minutes later, but had nothing to do as Golabek sent the dead ball so high over the crossbar it landed in the street behind the stadium.

They should have taken the lead in the 68th minute when Cuthbert and Kevin Fotheringham got mixed up, leaving Brewster with an open goal - but the Caley boss somehow managed to shoot wide from 16 yards out.

Luckily his captain Golabek gave his team the lead in the 76th minute.

The Saints could not deal with Tokely's deep cross into the box and left room for the Caley man, who bulleted a header past Cuthbert from six yards.

Brewster's involvement ended in the 79th minute, with Graham Bayne introduced.

Saints also made a substitution as they tried to chase the equaliser, taking off stand-in midfielder Kevin Rutkiewicz for Chris Hay.

Tokely was booked for a lunge on Fotheringham and, after leaving the Perth player on the floor in agony, may consider himself fortunate the colour of the card was not red.