Inverness take second spot for now.

Inverness kept their goals record going as Billy McKay opened the scoring in the 36th minute after a swift counter attack. Josh Magennis levelled one minute into stoppage time at the break courtesy of Chris Clark's injury, when he had to leave the game after half an hour. Aberdeen started the second half on the attack and it was no surprise when Magennis scored his second goal. Out of nothing Gary Warren made it two each from a corner and the game opened out thereafter. Billy McKay edged Inverness ahead inside the last ten minutes after a mistake by Russell Anderson and that ended the scoring.

A damp night in Aberdeen saw these two sides joust for second spot in the SPL, and we had an unusual substitution at half time as referee Alan Muir was replaced by fourth official Craig Charleston for the second half due to injury.

Ross Draper made the bench for this one but there were no changes on the park for Inverness with Phillip Roberts retaining his place in the starting eleven. Ryan Esson did not join Draper on the bench and Reguero continued in goal.

The Dons were forced into two changes to their starting XI with Rory Fallon and Joe Shaughnessy in for the injured Isaac Osbourne with Cammy Smith making the bench.

Here's Proctor with a report .......

Last season fans of both Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Aberdeen would laugh if you told them that 4 months into the campaign they would be playing a match where either side could go top of the SPL. That is exactly what happened at a rainy Pittodrie last night.

The Caley Jags looked unimpressive early on. Aberdeen’s revered midfield created a number of chances which were well saved by Spaniard Antonio Reguero.

It could be argued that play in the first half was hampered by a number of fouls. ICT looked at their best from the resulting set pieces. Aberdeen’s Chris Clark was cautioned for a foul on Aaron Doran. Clark wouldn’t be on the pitch much longer, several minutes later the midfielder was stretchered off and replaced by Jamie Masson.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 35^th minute with a great run by Andrew Shinnie and Richie Foran. The pair sprinted down the right flank and Foran crossed the ball into the box where Billy McKay knocked the ball past Jamie Langfield with a low tap similar to the one he scored at Parkhead at the weekend.

For the next ten minutes Inverness were joint top of the SPL and the volatile Dons fans were getting frustrated. The reds had a penalty claim turned down when Rory Fallon looked to be fumbled.

Shortly afterwards Aberdeen pulled level when some fancy footwork by former ICT player Jonny Hayes saw him pass to Josh Magennis who finished with ease. The half time whistle went shortly after.

There was an unusual change in personnel at half time as a tannoy announcement was sent out asking for another match official. The call was answered by Craig Charleston.

Aberdeen seemed hungry and determined to take the lead after the restart. Reguero had to tip a header from Joe Shaughnessy over the bar. Josh Magennis would pop up again to grab the Dons second shortly after when he knocked the ball over Reguero while the keeper was on the ground.

Much like in the second half, ICT came into life following set-pieces. It would be a corner that would get Inverness back into the game. Aaron Doran crossed the ball into the box where Gary Warren headed it in to draw level.

At 2 all the game became rather lively with some great end to end football. Jonny Hayes came close to netting for the Dons with a tremendous run which resulted in his shot going wide of the left post while Richie Foran struggled to get on the end of an Andrew Shinnie cross. The certainly looked more reflective of a top of the table clash.

Visiting fans would have to wait till the 81^st minute to see any of the chances created by ICT converted into goals. Billy McKay capitalised on the Dons inability to deal with a David Raven long ball from the half way line. McKay placed the ball past the blundering Aberdeen keeper for his 9^th goal of the season and third in a week. The fans aptly chanted that the young international scores when he wants.

The home fans drifted away into the bitter north east night and the travelling band of jubilant ICT supporters were riled up by Terry Butcher who could head up the A96 knowing his side were joint top of the SPL.

2 - Magennis (45, 50) TEAM: Langfield, Anderson, Reynolds, Considine, Magennis, Shaughnessy, Clark (Masson 29 (Smith 79)), McGinn, Hayes (McManus 87), Fallon, Vernon SUBS: Ja.Brown, Jo.Brown, Murray, O'Neill Booked: Clark (25), Magennis (45), Vernon (73) Sent Off: none

3 - McKay (36, 82), Warren (58) TEAM: Reguero, Raven, Meekings, Warren, G.Shinnie, Tudur-Jones, Foran, Doran, A.Shinnie, Roberts (Draper 59), McKay SUBS: Mathieson, Oswell, Morrison, Polworth, Pepper, Cooper Booked: Warren (42) Sent Off: none

Alan Muir

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