Last updated 11:45, Monday, 05 May 2008

Inverness 6 Gretna 1: Gretna's sorry season is almost at a close - and it won’t be a moment too soon for boss Mick Wadsworth and his shell-shocked players after their worst ever defeat in Scottish football.

So near: Gretna midfielder Gavin Skelton, left, came close to scoring with a curling shot which flashed wide of the post

The club’s future could become clearer this week when creditors face a crunch meeting with the administrators running the affairs of the debt-ridden club on Thursday morning.

Whether the relegated SPL club faces a winding up order or a new buyer will be prepared to take on huge debts remains to be seen, but the scale of Gretna’s troubles was perfectly summed up by the preparations for Saturday’s trip.

There was no luxurious overnight stay for the visiting side with a middle-of-the-night rise before Caley Thistle hammered their record SPL score past poor keeper Greg Fleming at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium .

Inverness were superb but Wadsworth gave an insight to the depth of his team’s struggles.

The former Carlisle United manager said: “The preparations were not the best to say the least.

“Most of our players were up at all hours, coming from England and the like, to get to the ground by 7am.

“And we didn’t really eat on the way up. The microwave on the team bus was broken so all we had was cold lasagne.

“But I don’t want to dwell on excuses as Caley Thistle were excellent and we were poor.

“The first goal was scandalous - three yards offside - but they scored five more.

“It has been a bad week as we’ve lost more players - Ryan Baldacchino has gone to Australia and John Paul Kissock is back at Everton.

“We’ve just got so little variation just now, and this has been a poor day, but I’m not being critical of the players.

“They have to do better in the last two games though because there are a lot of clubs watching and a few have offers.”

Gretna gave gave stern resistance before the break, but were thoroughly outclassed by the close as they were brushed aside by Caley Thistle.

Inverness got off to a flier with Dougie Imrie netting after only 35 seconds for one of the quickest goals of the season.

Don Cowie broke down the right and Imrie timed his run to perfection to meet the cross and slam the ball home from eight yards.

Rory McAllister headed the second goal midway through the first half after Greg Fleming produced a fine reaction save to block a Marius Niculae header.

But Gretna refused to lie down and pulled a goal back four minutes later when Steven Hogg headed in a free-kick from Brendan McGill.

Niculae tried his luck from distance in a bid to restore Caley Thistle’s two-goal lead, but his effort was wayward and Fleming was untroubled.

The Romanian came closer after being set up by McAllister at the edge of the area but he was just a foot wide.

Three minutes from the break, the lively Imrie shot narrowly wide with Gretna caught short at the back.

Barry Wilson made it 3-1 four minutes into the second half with a stunning strike with the outside of his right boot from 18 yards which left Fleming with no chance.

Caley Thistle went for the jugular after that. Imrie headed just wide after great work from Wilson and then Ian Black volleyed just past the post from a Cowie pass.

Gretna struggled to stay in touch but Gavin Skelton came close with a curling shot which flashed wide.

But Niculae should have made it 4-1 midway through the half but he hesitated in front of goal and Craig Barr made a last-gasp block.

The goal was only delayed a couple of minutes. Imrie this time turned provider to cut the ball back for Cowie, who slammed a low shot past Fleming.

Ross Tokely made it 5-1 when he headed in a corner from substitute Guy Kerr with two minutes left.

Substitute Iain Vigurs volleyed home number six in the final minute to complete Gretna’s misery.

Match facts

Inverness CT: Malkowski, Tokely, Proctor, Hastings, McBain, Wilson (Vigurs,81), Black (Kerr,86 ), Cowie, Imrie, Niculae, McAllister (Bayne,65). Subs not used: Fraser, Hart, Duncan, Wyness

Gretna: Fleming, Barr, Meynell, Griffiths, Skelton, Deverdics, Hall (Wilkinson,62), Hogg (Taylor ,69), McGill (Fisher ,82), Osman, Naughton. Subs not used Sharples, Murray, Robinson, Schultz-Eklund,

Bookings: McAllister (Inverness CT) Barr (Gretna)

Attendance: 3,639

Referee: Iain Brines (Scotland)