The youngsters took the lead when Chris Brown turned into his own net just before the half hour mark. It came after captain Ross McCrorie fizzed a dangerous ball along the goal line.
Inverness grabbed one back five minutes after the break but Liam Burt tied things up when he turned in the rebound after seeing his shot saved.
Inverness nearly made an early breakthrough with four minutes played when Ryan Sinnamon slipped in his left-back berth to allow the away side in. The pacey Andrew McCrea, who had already looked lively, squeezed into the channel to cut inside and lash a side-footed effort at McCrorie. The keeper was forced to scramble to his near post and turn it around the upright.
Amin Bouzaig was making his debut for the under 20 side after signing from Puerto Malagueno in the January window and he had a good chance to open his account with nine minutes gone. The Spaniard latched onto a through ball from Josh Jeffries to take a touch and let fly on the angle. His shot rustled the side netting.
Rangers were determined to take first blood in the game and Sinnamon drifted forward three minutes later to create an opening of his own. The defender managed to get the ball out from under his feet to unleash an excellent effort from outside the box as he lifted the ball just over the bar.
Kyle Bradley was breathing a sigh of relief on 23 minutes when he gave the ball away to allow McCrea to run in behind. The defender managed to get back quickly and apply some pressure to the striker as he pulled the trigger and McCrorie ultimately saved well.
Rangers had their opener just before the half hour mark when McCrorie used his pace to get to the by-line and whizz a ball across the face of goal with Bouzaig the intended target. The Light Blues’ captain provided a ball with such pace that it caused trouble for the Inverness defence and Brown, who was chasing back, couldn’t do anything about it as the ball cannoned off his shins and into his own net.
The youngsters tried to be inventive four minutes later as Burt played a short free-kick into the box. It was expected his set-piece from the right would be a looping cross but he elected to play in Jeffries on the edge of the box. The midfielder got a low shot away but it was cleared in a sea of bodies.
Just before the break Bouzaig showed an early sign of his class as he picked out Ross Lyon darting through the middle with a superb ball. The midfielder latched onto the inch perfect ball to take on Daniel Hoban one-on-one but couldn’t beat the keeper as he turned away in frustration.
The Gers still had time for one more chance before the break and it was as close as they had gone so far. Jordan Gibson executed brilliant feet to give the defender the slip and send a driven effort whistling past the post as the whistle sounded for half-time.
With the second period just five minutes old Inverness had pegged one back after a mistake from Robby McCrorie. The keeper was caught in possession as he looked to clear and took an extra touch to invite the challenge. The ball fell lose to Kier Smith and all the striker had to do was tap the ball into an empty net.
Rangers were within their rights to think they should have had a penalty three minutes later when Gibson burst into the box. The pacey forward was hauled down with two Inverness defenders tugging him back but his appeals were waved away as he went to ground.
Some superb play from Burt had the Gers ahead again on 58 minutes as the pacey 17-year-old got a tricky shot away on the angle as he hugged the right post. Hoban saved that effort but he could only parry into the midfielder’s path and the rebound came off Burt and bounced over the line.
Burt went close again 10 minutes after his goal as the Light Blues packed out Inverness’ box. Ashmore made room to shoot and then Burt fashioned one from a tight angle off the by-line and the keeper was forced to full stretch to scoop it away.
Rangers put together two superb chances to close the game out inside a minute as 79 ticked onto the clock. First Sinnamon produced an excellent dipping volley and Hoban was forced to use his fingertips to put the ball over the crossbar. Next substitute Andrew Dallas outwitted his defender to drive down the right and into the box – the keeper saving at his feet.
RANGERS: Robby McCrorie, Ross McCrorie, Wilson, Bradley, Sinnamon, Ashmore, Burt, Gibson, Jeffries, Bouzaig, Lyon (Mouanda 45’)
Subs not used: Wright, White, Dallas, Barjonas, Jamieson
Goals: Brown (OG) 29’, Burt 58’