Highland surged back to winning ways in fine style with a 29-22 victory at Stirling after the disappointment of losing at Melrose the previous week.
The result boosts the Canal Park side’s hopes of promotion as they leapfrogged Melrose to go third in National League 1 – but seven points behind leaders Biggar.
Highland coach Dave Carson was delighted with his side’s performance, particularly after they had to to play the last 10 minutes with two players in the sin-bin.
Carson said: “We had to show real character in those dying minutes, but we came through with flying colours, demonstrating our organisational skills in defence, even with Gregor Gordon and Kevin Brown in the sin-bin.
“We picked up another yellow card earlier in the game, though none of them were for bad offences. It was pleasing to get a fourth try early in the second half, giving us a welcome try bonus point.”
The Inverness side were totally in charge in the first half, turning around 19-3 to the good thanks to three well-constructed tries which fell to lock Oscar Baird, prop Stephen Murray and centre Seumus Cross, two of which were converted by stand-off Scott Fraser.
Stirling came more into the game in the second half, adding three tries, two of which were converted, to their lone first half penalty, but it was too little, too late.
Despite the yellow cards, full back Rupeni Rokoduguni touched down for an unconverted effort, while Fraser kicked a vital penalty.
The result gives the Canal Park side a second win in five weeks against Stirling, Highland having knocked them out of the Scottish Cup in October.