Gretna caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth praised his players for running Inverness close in a 2-1 defeat despite uncertainty over their futures.Wadsworth only discovered the SPL match was definitely going ahead on Friday afternoon amid reluctance from administrators Wilson Field.

But his side could have taken something thanks to a string of excellent saves from goalkeeper Greg Fleming.

John-Paul Kissock hit the bar for Gretna in front of a 431 crowd at Fir Park before two goals in two minutes from Roy McBain and Don Cowie put Inverness in command in the final 20 minutes.

Even then Gretna refused to give in with Craig Barr pulling one back.

"I was asked if it was hard motivating the players but it's not because they are a smashing bunch of kids," Wadsworth said.

"They are just a joy and I just really, really wish we could get a result. Not for the points, that's not a big issue any more, just for them because they so deserve it.

"I only found out the game was on at 1.30pm yesterday. Administrators are not allowed legally to run an insolvent administration, that would be like pouring oil on the fire.

"I do believe they came to an agreement with the SPL."

Wadsworth admits he has no idea what the future holds but expects Wednesday's game with St Mirren at Fir Park to go ahead.

"We will get the players in on Monday and prepare for Wednesday," he said.

"As you know, it's not day to day here, it's hour to hour, as it was yesterday.

"I hope we can complete the games. Just for the dignity and integrity of the league."

But he added: "It would be foolish to say one way or another. At one point I couldn't see us lasting more than a couple of days and that was three weeks ago."

Wadsworth was disappointed with the attendance, which looked far lower than the 501 who saw Gretna play Dundee United last month.

"I'm disappointed with the numbers," he said.

"I couldn't be disappointed with the people who are here, they are a sensational bunch who you see wherever we go.

"But in a sense it's difficult, they are reading on Teletext that the game is in doubt so it puts them in doubt. Our supporters are 80 or 90 miles away so it's not an easy logistical exercise to come to a home game. Hopefully the fact we put in a performance will bring a few more on Wednesday."

Inverness boss Craig Brewster praised his players for keeping their heads up to claim their first win in four months, which also came against Gretna.

"We had five great chances in the first half, not just good chances, great chances," he said.

"The second half they looked a bit dangerous and we got a bit sloppy. "I was worried when we were missing those chances but we didn't panic, we kept playing it around and that was important."

Brewster, who lost Marius Niculae to a dead leg before the game, added: "There is no problem with the dressing room, I can guarantee you of that.

"It's amazing the difference in the dressing room between winning and losing."

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