Inverness 2 - 0 Stirling Albion

An Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo thunderbolt helped Caley Thistle move past Stirling Albion with a 2-0 victory to reach the fifth round of the Scottish Cup.

Mbuyi-Mutombo gave the hosts the lead in this replay with a thunderous shot in the first half and Iain Vigurs added his fourth of the season to double their advantage.

League Two minnows Stirling certainly did not shirk the challenge of the Scottish Cup holders in this replay but it is John Hughes' side that will progress to face Motherwell, with the fifth round taking place on February 6.

Caley Thistle made two changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Kilmarnock at the weekend. Carl Tremarco and Nat Wedderburn were out of the team, with Danny Devine and Mbuyi-Mutombo brought in. James Vincent failed a fitness test earlier in the day, joining Dean Brill, Aaron Doran, Josh Meekings and Lewis Horner on the sidelines.

Stirling Albion made one change from the initial game with the Caley Jags, swapping Kevin McKinley for Ross McGeachie.

Referee Mat Northcroft had an early call to make when Danny Williams bundled Steven Doris to the ground. Stirling striker Doris knocked the ball beyond Danny

Devine and raced clear, with Williams bringing him down and only spared a red card thanks to the covering Gary Warren.

Home skipper Warren had a header cleared off the line from an Vigurs corner and Liam Polworth lashed another change over in an effort to break the deadlock. At the other end, Darren Smith and Doris were linking well, with the latter seeing another shot blocked by Devine.

Mbuyi-Mutombo opened the scoring after 28 minutes in spectacular fashion, collecting a pass from Williams and thumping the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.

On a tepidly cold evening in the Highlands, Stirling were again giving a good account of themselves. An early spell of pressure in the second half brought strong appeals for a penalty when Ross Forsyth saw an effort charged down by Devine - but much to the Binos' chagrin, Northcroft was unmoved.

It proved costly as Caley Thistle went straight down the other end to double their lead on the hour. Ross Draper bore down on goal and pulled back for Vigurs, who swept an effort beyond Chris Smith.

Miles Storey saw a late effort parried by Smith but there was some late cheer for the home fans, with Richie Foran and Jordan Roberts making their first appearances in six months.