Caley Thistle went down 3-1 to Partick Thistle to inflict the Highlanders’ first home defeat of the season.
The sides had been all square at half time after Jordan White had cancelled out Dario Zanatta’s early opener for the Jags.
Kenny Miller restored the visitors’ advantage just 90 seconds after the restart, with Cammy Palmer adding a late third to secure a victory in Ian McCall’s first league game since returning to Firhill.
The defeat ends Caley Jags’ fine run of six home victories on the bounce, leaving John Robertson’s men five points adrift of the summit.
Inverness made one change from the side which defeated Queen of the South 2-0 the previous weekend, with Tom Walsh sidelined and replaced by Roddy MacGregor, who made his first league start.
Caley Jags threatened early on, with Aaron Doran firing over after a lay off from Miles Storey, who also saw a curling shot held by Scott Fox.
It was the Jags who took the lead on 10 minutes in fine style, with Stuart Bannigan teeing up Zanatta on the edge of the box, with the Canadian drilling a low strike into the bottom right corner to leave Mark Ridgers with no chance.
Inverness responded well however, and equalised in impressive style 11 minutes later. MacGregor provided the assist with a delightful cross from the right, which found the head of White who bulleted home from eight yards.
The home side were boosted by the leveller and had further opportunities before half time, with Doran seeing a low drive held by Fox, before MacGregor fired a snapshot over from the edge of the box.
Thistle regained their advantage less than two minutes into the second half however, with Jamie McCart dispossessed by Miller who run through on goal to slot past Ridgers.
White was close to levelling for a second time when his volley from a Storey delivery flashed wide on 57 minutes, while at the other end Ridgers had to be brave to cut out Cardle’s cross under close attention from Zanatta.
Inverness saw headers flash wide from Coll Donaldson and Shaun Rooney, while Thistle threatened a third when Zanatta blazed over after cutting in from the left flank.
Thistle sealed the points seven minutes from time however, when Palmer turned home James Penrice’s cross, while Ridgers had to make a late save to deny Cardle, as the visitors moved off the bottom of the Championship.
