Aberdeen moved to within two points of leaders Celtic following a hard fought win at Inverness.
Peter Pawlett’s goal settled a fiercely contested encounter in the Dons’ favour as they moved three points clear in second place.
Caley Thistle manager John Hughes made one alteration to the team which lost 1-0 at St Johnstone in their last outing with midfielder Ross Draper missing out due to suspension following his red card at McDiarmid Park. Marley Watkins took his place in the starting 11.
Dons manager Derek McInnes also made one enforced change to the team which beat Kilmarnock with Shay Logan missing out due to injury. His place at right back was taken by Craig Murray.
Caley Jags started the game strongly, putting the Dons under pressure but it was the visitors who made the breakthrough when Inverness central defender Josh Meekings and left back Carl Tremarco collided when trying to clear a high ball, allowing Niall McGinn to set-up Peter Pawlett who sidefooted the ball high past Dean Brill from 14 yards.
Inverness were stung by the loss of the goal but they responded well with Billy Mckay and Marley Watkins both going close with chances to equalise .
The home side continued to threaten and they went even closer in first half injury time when captain Graeme Shinnie let fly with a ferocious 20 yard right foot strike but Dons goalkeeper Scott Brown was equal to his effort, diving to his left to make an acrobatic block to deny the Highlander.
The Dons came out strongly in the second half and they should have doubled their lead when Goodwillie crossed for Jonny Hayes but the midfielder had a fresh air swipe at the ball with the goal at his mercy and the chance was gone.
Caley Jags came back into the game in the final 20 minutes and went close again through Greg Tansey but his 20 yard free kick was tipped away by Brown as Inverness pushed for an equaliser.
Aberdeen were then denied a strong penalty claim as Caley Jags defender Gary Warren handled a Rooney header in the box but referee Calum Murray waved away the Dons appeals before Mckay struck the crossbar for Inverness.