Caley Thistle’s Premiership survival hopes were dealt a massive blow as they went down to a 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
Killie scored both sides of half-time through Sean Longstaff and Jordan Jones, and despite the Highlanders making a late push after Alex Fisher’s 71th-minute goal, the defeat pushes them closer to relegation to the Championship.
Inverness’ fate could be sealed before they next kick a ball against Dundee on Wednesday, with a victory for Hamilton Accies at Ross County on Tuesday sending Richie Foran’s men down.
Inverness were unchanged from the side that offered hope of survival with a timely 2-1 victory against Hamilton Accies the previous weekend, which meant returning midfielders Iain Vigurs and Liam Polworth had to settle for a place on the bench.
Inverness made a bright start and missed an excellent chance to take the lead within the opening 90 seconds, when Henri Anier released Alex Fisher clean through on goal, but the Englishman could only fire his effort into the side-netting.
The Highlanders kept up the early pressure, with Billy Mckay shooting narrowly over from the edge of the box, however Kilmarnock capitalised on poor defending to take the lead after 18 minutes. Goalkeeper Ryan Esson twice failed to take control of the loose ball, which allowed Longstaff to rifle a low strike into the net from the edge of the box.
Inverness continued to look vulnerable, with Longstaff and Jordan Jones both causing problems, however Caley Jags finished the half brightly, with David Raven shooting wide from the edge of the box.
Foran made a change at half-time, bringing on Vigurs for Jake Mulraney, and the midfielder was quick to tee up Mckay for a strike from the edge of the box, however it was comfortably saved by Jamie MacDonald.
Inverness were left with a huge task on their hands when Killie added a second goal on 58 minutes though, when Jones strode down the left before tucking the ball low past Esson.
Foran’s men responded brightly however, and they gave themselves hope by pulling a goal back on 71 minutes, when Vigurs’ superb threaded pass found Fisher who tucked home with a neat first-time finish from 12 yards.
Inverness had their tails up, and pushed for a quick equaliser, with Mckay seeing his lobbed effort from the edge of the box drift wide, before Raven’s curling effort was well held by MacDonald.
Caley Jags continued to push but were thwarted in their efforts to find a late leveller.