Match ends, Ross County 1, Inverness CT 3.
Ross CountyRoss County1Inverness CTInverness Caledonian Thistle3
Aaron Doran's double helped Inverness Caledonian Thistle to victory in the Highland derby against Ross County.
The visitors dominated the majority of the match and perhaps should also have had a penalty when Billy McKay was held in the box by Jamie Reckord.
County rarely threatened but did score from Jackson Irvine's header.
However, McKay's close-range finish allowed John Hughes' side to coast to the win which keeps them in touch with the leading pack.
Winger Doran broke the deadlock with a superb drilled effort low past Antonio Reguero after fine build-up play from Marley Watkins.
Earlier, McKay was denied what appeared a stonewall penalty after his touch allowed him to outfox Reckord, only for the defender to manhandle the striker and prevent him getting a shot away.
The visitors would not be denied, though, and Doran struck again with a deflected effort which entirely wrong-footed the frustrated Reguero.
County offered very little as an attacking force but immediately pulled themselves back into the match.
Irvine hit the inside of the post but won a corner from which he stooped to power a header past Dean Brill.
It seemed a comeback was on, but Inverness quickly re-asserted their authority.
Gary Warren headed a free-kick back across goal and McKay stole in to knock home.
That ended the game as a contest and earned a thoroughly deserved three points for Inverness CT.
County will require a big improvement if they are to remain in the Scottish Premiership.
Line-ups
Ross County
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Reguero
- 6Saunders
- 5Boyd
- 43QuinnBooked at 56mins
- 12Reckord
- 10KissBooked at 62mins
- 8BrittainSubstituted forJervisat 54'minutes
- 26Woods
- 31DunfieldSubstituted forIrvineat 42'minutesBooked at 72mins
- 23CareyBooked at 74mins
- 15ArquinBooked at 22minsSubstituted forBoyceat 33'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Cardle
- 9Jervis
- 14Maatsen
- 16Boyce
- 21Brown
- 25Toshney
- 36Irvine
Inverness CT
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 12Brill
- 2RavenBooked at 25mins
- 5Warren
- 6Meekings
- 18Tremarco
- 16Tansey
- 3Shinnie
- 15WatkinsBooked at 72minsSubstituted forVincentat 81'minutes
- 22ChristieSubstituted forRossat 86'minutes
- 10Doran
- 7MckaySubstituted forSekajjaat 88'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Esson
- 4Vincent
- 11Ross
- 13Sekajja
- 14Devine
- 17Horner
- 19Williams
- Referee:
- Steven McLean
- Attendance:
- 4,887
Match Stats
Home TeamRoss CountyAway TeamInverness CT
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away16
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away7
- Corners
- Home3
- Away9
- Fouls
- Home19
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Ross County 1, Inverness CT 3.
Post update
Corner, Inverness CT. Conceded by Jamie Reckord.
Post update
Attempt missed. Graeme Shinnie (Inverness CT) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Post update
Foul by Liam Boyce (Ross County).
Post update
Gary Warren (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jake Jervis (Ross County).
Post update
Graeme Shinnie (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Graham Carey (Ross County) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Ibra Sekajja replaces Billy McKay.
Post update
Attempt missed. Jackson Irvine (Ross County) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Liam Boyce (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Graeme Shinnie (Inverness CT).
Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Nick Ross replaces Ryan Christie.
Post update
Attempt missed. Graham Carey (Ross County) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left from a direct free kick.
Post update
Liam Boyce (Ross County) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Graeme Shinnie (Inverness CT).
Post update
Graham Carey (Ross County) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Christie (Inverness CT).
Post update
Attempt missed. Aaron Doran (Inverness CT) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
