Match ends, Motherwell 1, Inverness CT 3.
MotherwellMotherwell1Inverness CTInverness Caledonian Thistle3
Inverness Caledonian Thistle ended a run of four matches without a win, defeating Motherwell at Fir Park.
A retaken Greg Tansey penalty, and exceptional strikes from Miles Storey and Iain Vigurs secured the victory.
Louis Moult prodded a goal back for the hosts after Liam Grimshaw rattled the crossbar, but lost Stephen McManus to a stoppage second yellow card.
Motherwell are still searching for a first home victory in Mark McGhee's second spell as manager.
The visitors enjoyed a good opening spell of possession with Ryan Christie at the heart of it and he came close with an angled shot from the edge of the box.
Caley Thistle also had an early claims for a penalty waved away by referee Craig Thomson when James Vincent went down under the challenge of Josh Law.
However in the 12th minute the referee did point to the spot after Motherwell's captain for the day McManus handled a curling corner from Tansey.
If that was controversial the next decision left the Motherwell players and fans even more irate as Tansey's spot-kick was superbly saved by Connor Ripley diving low to his right.
But the referee deemed home defenders encroached on the box before Tansey had kicked the ball and ordered a retake.
Tansey made no mistake with his second attempt to put Caley Thistle ahead.
The grievance of the home side sparked them into action and Moult had a header from a Lionel Ainsworth free kick saved by Owain Fon Williams.
Marvin Johnson then fired a right-foot effort over before Law blasted just wide from the edge of the area.
Already severely depleted by injuries, Caley Thistle lost the services of stricken playmaker Christie eight minutes before the break - he was replaced by Dani Lopez.
As the interval approached, though, the visitors increased their lead when Storey's 20-yard strike took a deflection off a Motherwell defender to fly past Ripley.
Well came close to reducing the deficit in stoppage time at the end of the first half as Grimshaw's powerful strike crashed back off the crossbar.
The visitors' third goal was straight from the training ground.
Tansey swung a corner kick from the right to Vigurs arriving late on the edge of the area, and the former Motherwell midfielder hit the perfect left-foot volley to convert against his old club.
Just before the hour mark, Moult gave the home side hope as he tapped in Ainsworth's cross at the back post.
The home side kept pressing and Stephen Pearson got on the end of a sweeping move, his effort sailing high over.
McManus was shown a red card in stoppage time for a second yellow infringement, this time on Dani Lopez, having earlier been booked for a foul on Liam Polworth.
Caley Thistle defended well to ensure they claimed their fourth league win of the season, and just their third victory in their last 16 visits to Fir Park.
Line-ups
Motherwell
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Ripley
- 18Law
- 16KennedyBooked at 56mins
- 6McManusBooked at 90mins
- 15Chalmers
- 7Ainsworth
- 4Grimshaw
- 8PearsonBooked at 13mins
- 11JohnsonSubstituted forRobinsonat 79'minutes
- 77McDonaldSubstituted forFletcherat 68'minutes
- 20Moult
Substitutes
- 5Laing
- 9Fletcher
- 12Samson
- 17Robinson
- 19Clarkson
- 21Leitch
- 25Taylor
Inverness CT
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 25Fon Williams
- 17Horner
- 14DevineBooked at 52mins
- 6Meekings
- 3Tremarco
- 20Polworth
- 4Vincent
- 16Tansey
- 27VigursBooked at 18minsSubstituted forWedderburnat 80'minutes
- 22ChristieSubstituted forLopez Roblesat 40'minutes
- 39StoreySubstituted forWarrenat 72'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Esson
- 5Warren
- 7Lopez Robles
- 15Wedderburn
- 37Sutherland
- 43MacRae
- Referee:
- Craig Thomson
- Attendance:
- 3,569
Match Stats
Home TeamMotherwellAway TeamInverness CT
- Possession
- Home51%
- Away49%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away14
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home8
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away5
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Motherwell 1, Inverness CT 3.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Stephen McManus (Motherwell) for dangerous play.
Post update
Foul by Stephen McManus (Motherwell).
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Dani López (Inverness CT) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Wes Fletcher (Motherwell).
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Gary Warren (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Stephen Pearson (Motherwell).
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Liam Polworth (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Louis Moult (Motherwell).
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James Vincent (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Liam Grimshaw (Motherwell).
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Gary Warren (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Liam Grimshaw (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
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Attempt missed. Louis Moult (Motherwell) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.
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Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Carl Tremarco.
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Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Liam Polworth.
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Corner, Motherwell. Conceded by Danny Devine.
Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Nathaniel Wedderburn replaces Iain Vigurs.
Post update
Attempt missed. Theo Robinson (Motherwell) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
