Caley Thistle’s hopes of earning top six place were dented by Hearts this evening as John Hughes’ side were punished for a poor display at Tynecastle.
Inverness had plenty of possession but little in the way of an attacking threat in the final third and it is a problem they must solve quickly if they are to take their place at the top table in the final five matches of the campaign.
Following a surprisingly subdued opening it was the home side who threatened first when the ball broke to Abiola Dauda just inside the penalty area but his powerful drive was blocked brilliantly by Caley Jags defender Danny Devine.
Caley Thistle’s best chance fell to Roberts but he could not get any power on his header from Storey’s cross and the ball was easily gathered by Neil Alexander in the home goal.
Inverness may have created little in the way of clearcut chances but they stifled Hearts well and a rising shot from debutant Smith was all the Jambos could muster in the way of an effort on Owain Fon-Williams goal.
Much of that was due to the central defensive pairing of Gary Warren and Devine, who seemed to be on hand to block every effort or ball into the box from the home side.
How frustrating then that their hard work should be undone with ease 10 minutes before the break when Arnaud Djoum’s diagonal ball into the box was controlled on his chest by Jamie Walker who took the ball past Fon-Williams before firing it into the empty net to give Hearts the lead at the break.
It should have been 2-0 within seconds of the second half as Dauda ran past Devine and into the box but his low drive was blocked by Fon-Williams.
But the Hearts forward was not to be denied his first goal at Tynecastle and he duly doubled his side’s lead in the 53rd minute.
Inverness only have themselves to blame for the loss of the second goal as Tansey was woefully short with his attempted pass back from the halfway line and Dauda ran on to the ball before rounding Fon-Williams to score and secure victory.