A comfortable night for Caley Thistle, who returned to winning ways with a resounding 4-0 victory against Brechin City.
No less than three points was an option for Inverness, against a rock-bottom City side still to record its first league victory of the season after 14 games.
The manner of the victory will have pleased the Caledonian Stadium faithful no end, as they eradicated any possibility of a slip-up by racing into a two-goal lead inside the opening nine minutes, thanks to close-range strikes from Brad McKay and John Baird, with Connor Bell adding a third early in the second-half and George Oakley rounding off the scoring late on.
There could have been more, but it was a prompt return to winning ways for the Highlanders following their 2-0 loss at home to St Mirren on Saturday, resuming Caley Jags’ charge towards a play-off place.
Skipper Gary Warren’s return to the side on Saturday proved short-lived, with John Robertson reverting to the partnership which delivered seven successive clean sheets as McKay returned from suspension to partner Coll Donaldson. Robertson’s second change was enforced, with Iain Vigurs suspended after his dismissal against the Buddies and Charlie Trafford coming in for a first start since September.
Brechin were boosted by a creditable 1-1 draw against league leaders Dundee United at the weekend but Darren Dods’ men arrived in the Highlands still yet to taste the winning feeling in the Championship this term.
All the indications appeared to point towards a comfortable home victory but it could have been such a different story had Brechin opened the scoring with a superb chance within two minutes.
Teenage forward Connor McLennan beat the offside trap to latch on to a long ball before lifting the ball over the advancing Mark Ridgers but, fortunately for the goalkeeper, the on-loan Aberdeen player’s effort came back off the inside of the right-hand post.
The early warning was heeded, however, as Inverness established domination.
It came from the fourth of a flurry of early corners, with Liam Polworth’s delivery meeting the untracked McKay, who thumped home from close range.
The goal gave Caley Jags the early foothold and they took little time to strengthen their control of the match, adding a second goal only 60 seconds later.
It was a timely strike by Baird, who could not miss after Carl Tremarco’s delivery was cleared straight to his feet by defender Euan Smith, allowing the attacker to end a run of 10 matches without a goal stretching back to September 9. The relief on the striker’s face was visible.
It was virtually game over and Brechin looked visibly stunned by the hosts’ quickfire double. Jake Mulraney looked the most likely supplier of a third goal, with two shots from the edge of the box which forced saves from Graeme Smith, before the veteran goalkeeper pulled off a fine stop to deny the Irishman with his feet, only moments after getting down smartly to thwart Bell.
The Highlanders were able to complete the first half without the need to get out of second gear and there was not much to suggest a fightback was likely from City.
Mulraney was denied by Smith for a fourth time, but that only delayed the inevitable with Bell putting the match firmly beyond City on 52 minutes.
It was virtually identical to the opener, with Polworth delivering another corner into the danger area, where Bell, one of the smallest players on the park, was able to nod home.
Inverness were on easy street but after the end of their club record clean sheet streak at the weekend they were determined to bounce back with another shutout. McLennan looked Brechin’s most likely threat and he came close with a speculative effort from 30 yards which flew narrowly past Ridgers’ right-hand post on the hour mark.
Robertson had the luxury of being able to shuffle his pack and brought on Aaron Doran and Oakley in place of Bell and Baird.
Inverness had further chances to add to their lead with Polworth and substitute Alex Cooper both off target from long-range.
And there was time for a fourth as Oakley went through on goal before lifting the ball over Smith with a neat chip, sealing a third comfortable win against Brechin this season.