John Robertson says Caley Thistle “dug deep” to win against Morton and strengthen their grip on second in the Championship.
Inverness had taken a deserved first-half lead through Jordan White, but Ton rallied after the break to pull level through Aidan Nesbitt just after the hour mark.
Inverness regained the lead just six minutes later through Shaun Rooney, however, they were pegged back a second time when Reece Lyon found the net with 13 minutes remaining.
Just as it looked as if Caley Jags had squandered the chance to extend their lead in second, substitute Nikolay Todorov’s stoppage-time header moved the Highlanders four points clear of third-placed Ayr United.
Robertson, who made three changes from the side who exited the Scottish Cup with a 5-2 loss against Hibernian on Friday, said: “It was a crazy second half. I thought we were in control in the first half, we had all the good chances and (‘Ton keeper) Danny Rogers had three or four terrific saves.
“We could have been at least a couple of goals up which would have been a fair reflection of our dominance in the first half. But we said to the lads at half-time that one wasn’t enough.
“Morton are in form and they showed why – they are a dangerous side coming forward. But the goals we lost were both poor.
“We showed character to get ahead with a set-play goal, but we needed the third goal to kill it. We couldn’t get it, and the second goal is a shocker to lose. It’s something we have been working on defensively. Carl Tremarco has switched off – he held his hand up.
“Big Nikolay did what he has been doing all season.”
Robertson singled out striker Todorov for praise after his impact off of the bench. The Bulgarian also scored for ICT at Easter Road on cup duty.
His manager – who stressed every point counts as the campaign’s end draws near – said: “He has had to be patient as Jordan (White) has been in good form, but he has come on and made an impact.
“It’s a big win. We get the added bonus that other teams have dropped points, but we have said all along. Our fans get frustrated as we have drawn at home to Alloa, but Alloa have drawn at Dundee.
“That’s what happens – every point is a prisoner. We have found a way to win a game that was heading for a draw.”