Caley Thistle moved a step closer to cementing a Championship play-off place with a 3-2 win over Alloa Athletic at Caledonian Stadium.
Goals from Aaron Doran, Sean Welsh and Jordan White proved decisive for the Highlanders, with Alan Trouten and Iain Flannigan netting late for a Wasps side who threatened a late comeback.
The result moves Inverness above Ayr United into third place, and five points clear in the play-off positions.
Caley Jags made two changes from the side which defeated Partick Thistle 2-1 at Firhill on Friday, with Shaun Rooney and Kevin McHattie drafted in to replace Brad Mckay and skipper Carl Tremarco.
Inverness largely threatened from long range in the opening stages, with Joe Chalmers and Liam Polworth both off target with early efforts.
The hosts finally made the breakthrough on 28 minutes however, with Doran rising to impressively nod Welsh’s delivery past Neil Parry from 15 yards.
Alloa seldom threatened in the first half, with Mark Ridgers’ only involvement coming when he comfortably saved Jordan Kirkpatrick’s low effort.
The Highlanders doubled their lead on 35 minutes, when referee Steven Reid pointed to the spot following Iain Flannigan’s challenge on Jordan White, with Welsh making no mistake from the spot.
Inverness knew a third goal would seal the points, and it arrived on 61 minutes when Polworth played White clean through on goal, with the attacker doing well to coolly clip the ball over the onrushing Parry.
Alloa pulled one back 11 minutes from time when Trouten slotted home from the spot after being taken down by Jamie McCart, before Flannigan’s late strike took a wicked deflection to wrongfoot Ridgers, however Inverness held firm for the points.
