Rugby Park firsts

This first-ever win against Kilmarnock pushed ICT up to a new high of seventh in the SPL. After the disappointment of last week against Aberdeen this was a victory to relish. 

With Juanjo out injured for the rest of the season some reorganisation was required. Ian Black replaced Russell Duncan in midfield and Graham Bayne partnered Craig Brewster in the striking role. 

Ross Tokely overtook Charlie Christie's record with his 315th appearance. 

In the end just one goal separated the sides but chances were missed at both ends. Alan Combe tipped over a Brewster shot in only two minutes and seven minutes later Mark Brown pushed a Peter Leven curling free kick onto the bar. 

In 13 minutes Combe stopped a Stuart Golabek shot and watched as Graham Bayne's follow-up hit the post. Just after the half-hour mark ICT scored what proved to be the only goal of the match. Freddy Dindeleux hesitated, Brewster stepped in and found Barry Wilson in the clear. He rounded Combe and slotted home his tenth goal of the season from an acute angle. Kilmarnock fought back immediately but Brown saved from Gary Wales and Steven Naismith's angled drive from long range went just wide. 

Killie pushed hard through to the break but could not find a way through the ICT defence. 

Half Time: 0-1

The pattern continued into the second half and Brown did well to block a Gary McDonald effort in 50 minutes. Wales should have done better in 57 minutes when he failed to connect properly with a Naismith cross despite being well placed close to goal. Bayne had a chance to double the lead in 78 minutes after being sent through by Brewster but his shot had no power and Combe collected easily. 

Despite a late surge from Kilmarnock the ICT defence held firm and it ended 1-0. 

Full Time: 0-1

Caley Thistle continue to look upwards in the league with seven games left as the spectre of relegation continues to recede. There is now a 14 point gap over basement club Dundee United and an outside chance of a top six finish. 

Motherwell are six points ahead with two games left before the split and have a six-goal advantage. All this adds some spice to Tuesday's visit of the Steelmen to Inverness.

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Kilmarnock: 0

Team: Combe; Fowler, Hay, Lilley, Dindeleux, McDonald, Murray, Leven,

Naismith (Johnston 65), Boyd, Wales (Nish 62)

Subs not used: Smith, Dodds, Greer, Johnstone McGregor - Booked: Lilley
 

Inverness CT: 1 (Wilson 32)

Team: Brown; Tokely, Dods, Munro, Golabek, Wilson (Duncan 79), Hart (Fetai 75),

Black (Proctor), McBain, Bayne, Brewster

Subs not used: Fraser; McCaffrey, Hastings, Prunty - Booked: Brewster (60), Black (70)

Attendance: 4862 - Referee: Ian Fyfe