Match ends, Inverness CT 2, Kilmarnock 1.
Inverness CTInverness Caledonian Thistle2KilmarnockKilmarnock1
A fortuitous early goal helped Inverness Caledonian Thistle overcome visitors Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.
Aaron Doran's strike took a big deflection off a Killie defender and beat goalkeeper Craig Samson.
Graeme Shinnie fired the hosts' second early in the second half.
Darren Barr's strike - his first Kilmarnock goal - halved the visitors' deficit but they could not find an equaliser.
The win takes Terry Butcher's men to within five points of league leaders Celtic, while Killie remain apoint above second-bottom St Mirren.
The Ayrshire side had travelled to the Highlands were seeking a third consecutive victory and captain Maneul Pascali had an early drive from 22 yards that was straight at Inverness goalkeeper Dean Brill.
However, the hosts opened the scoring after Richie Foran had won possession in his own half and swept the ball upfield to Marley Watkins.
Watkins' cross found Billy McKay, who touched it back into Doran's path and the the midfielder's shot was diverted into the net off Sean Clohessy.
Kris Boyd has been in good form for Killie of late and he came close to hitting an equaliser after good work by Jeroen Tesselaar, the striker's drive fizzing over Dean Brill's crossbar.
The better opportunities were falling the way of the home side and Ross Draper had a chance to double their lead only to shoot over.
Killie were presented with their best chance as the interval approached. Brill's misplaced pass was seized upon by Michael Gardyne but the forward hesitated, allowing Foran to come back and make a timely clearance.
That missed opportunity would be one that Kilmarnock would rue just seven minutes into the second half as Caley Thistle doubled their advantage.
A wonderful, free-flowing team move eventually saw Foran's incisive pass release Shinnie, who cut past Barr and curled a lovely effort past Samson from 14 yards.
However, the visitors gave themselves a lifeline when Barr escaped the attentions of his marker to turn home an inswinging free-kick from substitute Sammy Clingan.
As quickly as they had reignited hopes of a comeback, the visitors almost fell two goals behind again - but the upright kept out a Nick Ross header after he had done well to connect with Doran's cross.
Five minutes of injury time featured Killie pushing forward in search of an equaliser but Inverness remained resolute to see the game out.
Line-ups
Inverness CT
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 12Brill
- 3Shinnie
- 18TremarcoBooked at 74minsSubstituted forDevineat 88'minutes
- 9Foran
- 5Warren
- 6Meekings
- 15WatkinsSubstituted forWilliamsat 72'minutes
- 8Draper
- 7Mckay
- 11RossSubstituted forPolworthat 81'minutes
- 10Doran
Substitutes
- 1Esson
- 14Devine
- 17Greenhalgh
- 19Williams
- 20Polworth
- 21Pepper
- 23Agdestein
Kilmarnock
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Samson
- 16Clohessy
- 2Tesselaar
- 5Irvine
- 6Barr
- 26O'Hara
- 18McKenzieSubstituted forGrosat 80'minutes
- 29Pascali
- 9Boyd
- 25GardyneSubstituted forMuirheadat 88'minutes
- 10JohnstonSubstituted forClinganat 60'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Fowler
- 8Clingan
- 11Gros
- 12Reguero
- 30Ashcroft
- 33Muirhead
- 36Kiltie
- Referee:
- Steven McLean
- Attendance:
- 2,948
Match Stats
Home TeamInverness CTAway TeamKilmarnock
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away2
- Corners
- Home3
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Inverness CT 2, Kilmarnock 1.
Post update
Ross Draper (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Robbie Muirhead (Kilmarnock).
Post update
Danny Williams (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Robbie Muirhead (Kilmarnock).
Post update
Gary Warren (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Kris Boyd (Kilmarnock).
Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Daniel Devine replaces Carl Tremarco.
Substitution
Substitution, Kilmarnock. Robbie Muirhead replaces Michael Gardyne.
Post update
Attempt missed. Billy McKay (Inverness CT) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.
Post update
Ross Draper (Inverness CT) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Manuel Pascali (Kilmarnock).
Post update
Foul by Kris Boyd (Kilmarnock).
Post update
Gary Warren (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Graeme Shinnie (Inverness CT).
Post update
Manuel Pascali (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Liam Polworth replaces Nick Ross.
Substitution
Substitution, Kilmarnock. William Gros replaces Rory McKenzie.
Post update
Attempt missed. Aaron Doran (Inverness CT) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
