Ross County secured their first home Highland derby victory since May 2013, with a 3-2 triumph against Caley Thistle at Victoria Park.
Liam Boyce netted a first-half double, with Carl Tremarco scoring for the visitors, before Martin Woods wrapped up the points midway through the second-half.
Alex Fisher’s late consolation was not enough for the visitors, who end the year without a victory since October.
The result caps a memorable 2016 for Jim McIntyre’s men, who secured their first major silverware by winning the League Cup in March, with the Staggies ending the year in the top-six.
County made two changes from the side that went down 2-0 against Celtic on Wednesday despite a brave showing, with captain Paul Quinn and attacker Craig Curran dropping to the bench, replaced by Kenny van der Weg and Ryan Dow.
Caley Jags had gone nine matches without a win, the latest being Wednesday’s 2-1 loss against Motherwell, with Richie Foran drafting in Aaron Doran in place of Liam Polworth.
Following such a poor recent run, Inverness were eager to get off to a bright start to encourage their large travelling support, however it could barely have been worse for Richie Foran’s men, as they went behind after 105 seconds.
After Alex Schalk’s shot had been deflected behind for a corner, Andrew Davies’ flick from Christopher Routis’ delivery sent the ball to the wide left area, where it was hooked back into the middle by Kenny van der Weg for leading scorer Boyce to cannon a header over the line off the underside of the crossbar.
Caley Thistle’s response was strong however, and they created a number of chances to draw level. Lonsana Doumbouya had a wayward effort from Greg Tansey’s delivery from the right, however the visitors came closer moments later when Iain Vigurs’ shot was blocked into the path of Doran, who saw his powerful strike well held by Scott Fox.
Inverness pulled level on 28 minutes when Greg Tansey’s free-kick was only partially cleared by the home defence, with Tremarco reacting fastest to head the ball home from eight yards.
Following a sustained spell of pressure at the other end, the Staggies regained their lead on 35 minutes. Martin Woods had initially seen his free-kick tipped wide by Fon Williams, before the midfielder was once again thwarted by the Welsh goalkeeper with a fizzing drive from long-range from the resulting corner. The ball then broke out to the wide right for Boyce however, with the Northern Irishman seemingly in a crossing position but showing the guile to take the visitors by surprise with a sublime low effort into the far corner.
Boyce had an excellent chance to wrap up his hat-trick before the interval when he got on the end of Schalk’s cross from the left, but he screwed his first-time effort wide of Fon Williams’ left-hand post.
Inverness’ best opportunity to equalise before the break came when Larnell Cole dispossessed van der Weg inside his own area, however the on-loan Fulham player saw his shot beaten behind by Fox at his near post.
County created a fine chance to extend their lead when Routis cut the ball back for Woods, who rifled an effort high over the bar. Inverness enjoyed decent spells of possession in the second-half, without finding a way past a resolute Staggies defence, and the hosts hit them with a third goal just after the hour mark. The move came about when Caley Jags defender Josh Meekings was off the field receiving treatment for a head knock, with Schalk capitalising on the gap in defence by releasing the outstanding Woods to drill low past Fon Williams.
Inverness pulled back a second goal with nine minutes left, when Billy King saw his low strike parried by Fox, but fellow substitute Fisher was on hand to tuck home the rebound. Despite waves of late pressure, Caley Jags could not find an equaliser however.
