Caley Thistle fell to a fourth successive defeat with a 3-0 loss against St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.
Inverness were poor throughout the match, being reduced to 10 men through Gary Warren’s second-half sending off, with goals from Liam Craig, Murray Davidson and Danny Swanson.
The result leaves the Highlanders bottom of the Premiership table, slipping below Partick Thistle on goal difference.
Richie Foran made one enforced change to his depleted side from the team which lost 2-1 against Dundee seven days previously, with Larnell Cole replacing the suspended Lewis Horner.
Saints created early danger with on-form midfielder Danny Swanson shooting just over the bar with a lofted effort from just inside the box on six minutes, while Inverness’ first glimpse came when Larnell Cole saw his low effort from the edge of the box saved by Zander Clark.
The home side took the lead on 14 minutes however, when Steven MacLean worked the ball into the path of the unmarked Craig, who slipped the ball past Owain Fon Williams from close-range.
Inverness probed in their search for a leveller, with their best opportunity falling to Carl Tremarco who nodded just over the bar on 31 minutes.
Saints threatened from long-range, with Craig and Swanson both forcing Fon Williams into action from the edge of the area.
The hosts claimed for a penalty early in the second-half when Richard Foster went down under close attention from Josh Meekings after being released through on goal.
Caley Jags were reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark when Gary Warren was shown two yellow cards in the space of two minutes, the second of which for a clattering foul on Swanson.
Saints duly punished the visitors from the resulting free-kick, with Swanson’s low shot falling kindly for Davidson to take a touch before slotting across Fon Williams and into the corner of the net.
With a mountain to climb, Inverness tried to find a way back into the game, with Billy King blazing a shot narrowly over the crossbar.
Saints rounded off their victory when the impressive Swanson tucked the ball low into the bottom corner to compound a miserable day for Caley Jags.
