Caley Thistle gave their hopes of Premiership survival a timely boost with a 2-1 win against Hamilton Accies at Caledonian Stadium.
First-half goals from Brad McKay and Greg Tansey proved decisive, with the Highlanders spurning several chances to add to their lead before substitute Danny Redmond’s late consolation for Accies.
The result moves Richie Foran’s men to within four points of the relegation play-off position with three games left.
Richie Foran made five changes from the side that was defeated 4-0 by Ross County the previous weekend, with Jamie McCart, Billy King, Iain Vigurs and Kevin McNaughton dropping out, along with the suspended Liam Polworth. Restored to the side was skipper Gary Warren, who was clear of suspension, along with Billy Mckay, Brad McKay, Henri Anier and Ross Draper.
Caley Jags made a decent start, with Anier lashing wide on six minutes following Jake Mulraney’s through ball.
The hosts were not to be denied on 10 minutes however, when Greg Tansey’s free-kick found its way to the far post for Brad McKay to guide home.
Inverness missed several chances to add to their lead, with Billy Mckay shooting straight at Remi Matthews after being released by Draper, before Alex Fisher headed wide from point blank range after the goalkeeper had parried Tansey’s long-range shot.
Mckay spurned another fine chance on 23 minutes when he was picked out in plenty of space by Fisher, however the Northern Ireland international dragged his effort wide of target.
The missed opportunities could have come back to haunt Caley Jags two minutes later when Darian Mackinnon was presented with an opportunity from point-blank range, but he stabbed his effort wide.
Inverness moved a step closer to sealing the points on 35 minutes however, when referee Andrew Dallas spotted Massimo Donati’s foul on Draper from Tansey’s free-kick, with Tansey coolly sending Matthews the wrong way.
Accies, who made a double change at half-time by bringing on Ali Crawford and Danny Redmond in place of Rakish Bingham and Donati, began the second-half brightly and caused the hosts problems. Greg Docherty saw his effort deflected wide before former Caley Jags player Dougie Imrie flashed a shot wide, while on 55 minutes they had a strong claim for a penalty turned down by Dallas when Esson appeared to take down Crawford.
Inverness had late chances to wrap the game up, with Anier cutting inside on to his left foot before shooting wide, while substitute Scott Boden lifted a strike over the bar when one-on-one with Matthews.
Redmond netted with the last kick of the ball to deny Inverness a clean sheet, however Caley Jags held on to give themselves hope of a late survival push.