Greenock Morton defeated Caley Thistle 2-1 at Cappielow courtesy of a double from Bob McHugh.
Attacker McHugh had put the hosts ahead after just six minutes but Inverness responded well, equalising through Mitch Curry shortly before the half hour mark.
It was Ton who had the final say when McHugh capitalised on Coll Donaldson’s error to seal the victory nine minutes from time, meaning Caley Jags remain third but now trail Championship leaders Dundee United by four points.
Inverness made three changes from the side which was held to a 2-2 draw by Alloa Athletic the previous weekend with Aaron Doran absent from the squad altogether, while Charlie Trafford and Roddy MacGregor dropped to the bench, being replaced by David Carson, James Keatings and Mitch Curry.
Although Inverness enjoyed back-to-back victories over Ton in a league and cup double last month, David Hopkin’s men remained unbeaten on home soil. They made a rapid start and took the lead after just six minutes, with McHugh latching on to Peter Grant’s long ball from the back, before lifting the ball over the advancing Mark Ridgers.
Ton looked to have doubled their lead just 30 seconds later, with Cameron Salkeld’s mishit shot helped into the net by Reece Lyon, however he was penalised for fouling James Vincent in the build-up.
Inverness were twice close to levelling in quick succession, with Carl Tremarco heading off the post after directing Shaun Rooney’s knock-down goalwards, before Keatings was denied by a fine save from Sam Ramsbottom after being played in by Miles Storey.
Caley Jags missed another chance to equalise when Storey lashed over after a Keatings free kick had been partially cleared, however the visitors restored parity on 27 minutes, with Keatings flicking into the path of Curry, who drilled a composed low effort across Ramsbottom into the far corner.
Jordan White missed a decent chance to put Caley Jags ahead before the interval on 38 minutes, when he nodded over from Rooney’s cross.
There was little goalmouth action in the second half, with Rooney seeing an effort palmed away by Ramsbottom, while at the other end McHugh’s flick was cleared by Donaldson.
It was Donaldson’s error which set up McHugh for the winner on 81 minutes however, with the defender failing to clear his lines to allow the attacker through on goal, and he rolled the ball through the legs of Ridgers.
