Caley Thistle’s six-game unbeaten run came to an end following a 2-0 defeat against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
A goal in each half from Greg Kiltie and Josh Magennis proved enough for the Ayrshire men, with Inverness remaining in eighth place but now just a point ahead of Killie.
Inverness defeated Ross County 2-1 in their last match at the start of the month, with manager John Hughes making two changes from that side. Carl Tremarco returned from a groin injury, while Ryan Christie was back from suspension. The pair replaced James Vincent and Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo.
Killie made two changes from the side that drew 1-1 against Hearts in their last outing. Jamie Hamill and Tope Obadeyi dropped out, with Steven Smith and Rory McKenzie returning in their place.
Caley Jags spurned a glorious chance to take the lead on eight minutes. Greg Tansey’s floated corner was flicked on at the near post by Carl Tremarco to set up a free header for Danny Devine, however he nodded over from just six yards.
Another Tansey set-piece caused problems for the Killie defence moments later, his free-kick finding Ross Draper in acres of space, but his close-range header landed on the roof of the net.
Inverness looked the dominant team in the first-half, with Killie limited to two half-chances on 21 minutes, as Craig Slater’s shot was blocked by Draper, before Greg Kiltie lashed the follow-up over the bar.
Caley Jags had another fine set-piece chance when Josh Meekings nodded into the arms of MacDonald. However Killie finished the first-half stronger, and took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Magennis teed up Kiltie to drive a low effort into Fon Williams’ bottom right hand corner from the edge of the box.
Inverness were forced into a change at the interval, with Draper hobbling off to be replaced by Iain Vigurs. The visitors came close to netting an equaliser when Christie tried his luck with a swerving effort from the edge of the box, which forced Jamie MacDonald to make a fine palmed save over the bar.
Killie doubled their lead with a fine move on 66 minutes though, as Kallum Higginbotham sent Magennis through on goal, and he steered a powerful effort across goal and into Fon Williams’ far corner to make the points all but safe.
Inverness’ best chance to pull one back came when substitute Mbuyi-Mutombo’s low strike was tipped behind by MacDonald, however Killie came inches away from a third goal when Magennis teed up Slater, who thumped a shot just wide of target.