Caley Thistle brushed aside Morton 1-0 at Caledonian Stadium to maintain fourth spot in the Championship.
John Robertson’s men came into the match with two changes from the side that was victorious over rivals Ross County midweek, as Anthony McDonald was introduced from the start alongside Shaun Rooney, who was an unused substitute against the Dingwall side.
Morton manager Jonatan Johannson opted for one change, with Keelan O’Connell replacing Rangers loanee Andy Dallas from the side that held league high flyers Ayr United to a 0-0 draw last week.
Caley Thistle produced the first major chance of the opening period as neat passing play on the edge of the box seen Anthony McDonald enter the danger area, however the ball was diverted behind.
Skipper Carl Tremarco rose highest at the near post from the resultant Liam Polworth corner to open the scoring, glancing the ball home after 11 minutes.
A driving run from Shaun Rooney down the right hand side brought a corner for the home side after 25 minutes, with the Caley Thistle right backs scuffed header falling into the path of Brad McKay, but the central defender couldn’t react in time as the ball ricocheted off his knees and over the crossbar from three yards out.
Caley Thistle were forced into a change after 32 minutes as Jamie McCart departed after landing awkwardly following a collision with goalkeeper Mark Ridgers, with Coll Donaldson introduced in a direct change.
The home side took their one goal advantage into the break with Darren McCauley replacing Anthony McDonald for the home side during the interval.
Morton came out the traps the more eager of the two sides, however, it was Inverness who went closest. Sean Welsh displayed some fine play down the right in the 57th minute, before sending an inviting cross deep into the six-yard-box. Skipper Tremarco rose highest at the far post, sending a downward header across goal with only Gregor Buchanan’s last-ditch clearance from under his own crossbar preventing the Caley Jags man from grabbing his second of the afternoon.
After 63 minutes, Liam Polworth slipped winger McCauley in behind the Morton backline, however his advances were halted after his drive towards goal was blocked, with Jordan White blazing high over the crossbar after the ball fell favourably into the striker’s path.
Polworth was to be denied himself in the 70th minute as his finesse shot across goal was parried away by McCrorie, with Buchanan mopping up on the edge of the six-yard-box as the onrushing Doran looked destined to double the home side’s advantage.
Both sides pushed to create chances in the final period with Welsh again displaying a fine driving run, this time releasing McCauley on the right in the 90th minute, but the winger’s low driven shot crept across goal and behind, much to the relief of the away side.
Caley Jags held on in the closing moments, despite Morton throwing numerous long balls into the box to see out the match and take all three points.
