Sean Welsh’s late penalty for Caley Thistle settled a dismal 1-0 win over Dunfermline.
A game bereft of chances never threatened to turn into a classic and it was not until Welsh’s spot-kick three minutes from time that the points looked like being decided.
Caley Thistle made seven changes from the 3-1 win over Morton last weekend, with only Shaun Rooney, Coll Donaldson, Aaron Doran and Miles Storey keeping their places.
Dunfermline came into the game at the foot of the Championship after a poor start to the campaign. Lee Ashcroft set about trying to rectify that early doors, however his header was bundled clear by Carl Tremarco.
The visitors had little to cheer about after an early Jordan White header was blocked. Carl Tremarco had glanced a corner across goal but it was comfortably claimed by Cammy Gill.
Chances had been more forthcoming for the home side, with captain Paul Paton coming closest with a half-volley on 35 minutes that went wide of Mark Ridgers’ far post.
It took less than two minutes for Ridgers to be called into action in the second half, reacting late to claw away Josh Edwards’ free-kick as it dipped towards the goal.
A diving block by Rooney prevented Lewis McCann getting a shot on target, while a one-two between Kevin Nisbet and Greg Kiltie saw the former clip wide.
Finally, with 83 minutes on the clock, Gill was called into action as he beat away a long-distance strike from Doran.
It took intervention from a former Caley Thistle player, Danny Devine, to decide the game in Inverness’ favour. Donaldson’s long free-kick forward, taken inside the Dunfermline half despite it being given for offside, was handled by Devine in the box, less than 10 minutes after he came on.
Welsh settled the encounter, putting the penalty down the middle to earn Inverness the three points.