Caley Thistle drop back to 10th following a scrappy performance against Hearts at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

Ian Black was sorely missed in the middle of the park after an eye injury saw him subbed after only 15 minutes.

Despite getting forward ICT were lacking any end product and it was left to Hearts to open the scoring at the other end when Aguiar managed to create some space and get his shot on target from 20 yards out.

Caley Thistle should have equalised when a ball fell to Rooney and all he had to do was push it over the line, but the lack of strength on the ball allowed it to be cleared off the line.

The second half continued to be scrappy and Hearts only goal was enough for them to head home with the 3 points.

Craig Brewster started with the same team that finished the match against Falkirk on Wednesday. This meant that Gary Wood and Ian Vigurs dropped to the bench with Andy Barrowman and Adam Rooney replacing them as a front two. Don Cowie was missing through injury which gave Barry Wilson a rare start on the right flank. Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo recalled Michael Stewart from suspension along with Robbie Neilson. They replaced David Obua and Ruben Palazuelos in the Jambos line up.

Hearts were first to threaten when Andy Driver looked to test Esson from a free kick just outside the box but the hearts youngster fired his effort well over the bar. Inverness retaliated with a Wilson cross finding its way to Andy Barrowman but the former Ross County player couldn’t get the ball under control and the chance was lost. Michael Stewart then saw his effort fall into the path of team mate Driver who scuffed his shot wide of Essons goal as both sides sought to open the scoring.

Ian Black was forced off after 15 minutes with suspected concussion with Roy McBain taking his place in the midfield. ICT then came close with a couple of headed efforts from Imrie and Tokely but neither were able to work Balogh in the Hearts goal. Balogh then had to be quick off his line to deny Rooney who was played through by Imrie and Hearts were too punish ICT for their inability to convert their half chances into goals.

Portugese midfielder Auigar collected the ball about 25 yards out and turned his marker before sending a low shot past Esson who might have done better getting down to turn the ball round the post. The goal knocked Inverness off the pace somewhat but there was a golden chance to equalise before half time when Barrowman chased a ball and pushed the ball past the onrushing Balogh but it was blocked by the Hearts defence only for it to fall to Rooney who tried to force the ball over the line in the resultant stramash but a last ditch Neilson challenge cleared the danger for Hearts.

Just before the half time whistle referee Mike Tumilty enraged the Home support when he denied ICT what looked like a penalty when Rooney was bundled off the ball by Lee Wallace. Despite fierce protests from the ICT players and the Home fans Tumilty remained convinced that there was no foul and play raged on.

Hearts nearly extended their lead just after half time when Nade attempted an audacious strike which nearly beat Esson at his near post but the former Aberdeen keeper palmed the ball around the post. Nade was presented with another chance soon after when Andy Driver lobbed a ball through for him but Esson was equal to his effort.

Inverness gradually took control of the game and Hearts were forced to defend for large periods of the 2nd half. Ian Vigurs came on for the tiring Wilson and Wood came on for Barrowman who was subjected to a bizarre mixture of cheers and boos as he trudged off. Whether this was an indication of what some of the crowd thought of his performance or whether they were disagreeing with Brewsters decision only they will know. But it was an odd reaction to a substitution.

With Vigurs on the pitch ICT were playing with more intent while trying to grab the equaliser but the Hearts backline stood firm and in Nade they had a useful outlet for trying to catch Inverness on the counter attack. Late efforts from Vigurs and Imrie registered the Home sides first efforts on target for the game and were an indication of how little was created during the match. As time ticked away despairing long balls from the Home side were the only attacking threat posed which Berra and Zaliukas lapped up as Hearts held firm to secure an impressive three points.

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