Gary Warren ensured Richie Foran got off to a winning start in his first competitive match in charge of Caley Thistle with a 2-1 victory at Cowdenbeath in the Betfred Cup.
Ross Draper put Caley Thistle ahead after 13 minutes before Dean Brett equalised for the League Two side 10 minutes later.
But Warren headed home an Iain Vigurs corner with 15 minutes to go to ensure the visitors took maximum points.
Foran handed competitive debuts to new signings Scott Boden, Billy King and Kevin McNaughton, while Lewis Horner started at right back with David Raven missing through suspension.
The visitors made a bright start with Iain Vigurs heading onto the crossbar before Caley Thistle took the lead after only 13 minutes.
Boden showed great strength to shrug off the challenge of Greg Ross before unselfishly playing the ball across goal for Draper to apply the finishing touch.
However the lead lasted a mere 10 minutes with Brett levelling for the Blue Brazil after some determined play by former Hearts player Gary Glen.
Vigurs went close to regaining the initiative for the Caley Jags with a superbly struck free kick from 35 yards that was tipped over for a corner kick before heading the ball onto the crossbar for the second time from the resulting set-piece.
The visitors, who made a change at the break with Jake Mulraney replacing Liam Polworth, upped the ante after the restart with Boden drawing a smart save from Cowdenbeath goalkeeper David McGurn.
But it took them until the 75th minute to finally turn their dominance into a second goal with captain Warren heading home a Vigurs corner to give Foran’s men a deserved lead.
Caley Thistle changed their goalkeeper for the final five minutes with Ryan Esson, who had been struggling with his kick-outs, replaced by Cameron Mackay.