Inverness CT 2 - 0 Hibernian: Wretched winless run for Hibs in Inverness extended

Published on Wednesday 11 May 2011 20:54

HIBERNIAN'S woeful record of never having won an SPL game in Inverness continued last night, as they made it nine games without a win in the Highland capital after slumping to a 2-0 defeat.

The only time Hibs have ever beaten Caley Thistle away was back in September 2004, but that was at Pittodrie when Inverness were forced into a temporary home, and Terry Butcher's side comfortably prolonged the wretched run thanks to goals either side of half time from Richie Foran and Nick Ross ensuring yet another miserable return journey back down the A9 for the travelling supporters.

It was a third win in succession for Inverness and lifts them to the 50-point mark in a highly creditable season, but for Hibs it was a third defeat in a row and their supporters will be relieved to draw a line under a season of desperate underachievement when they host Aberdeen at Easter Road on Saturday.

Inverness top scorer Adam Rooney - who was Saturday's match-winner in a 1-0 win against St Mirren - was one of five changes made by the Highlanders, as he returned to Butcher's starting line-up

Midfielder Lee Cox replaced Russell Duncan, who was sent off last time out. Ross, Shane Sutherland and former Hibernian skipper Chris Hogg also came in for the SPL's seventh-placed side, while Eric Odhiambo, Gavin Morrison, Alex MacDonald and Aaron Doran drop to the bench.

Hibs made three changes to the side which lost 1-0 to Hamilton on Saturday, with Richie Towell and young Scott Taggart in. Francis Dickoh was ruled out after being sent off at the weekend, while Akpo Sodje drops to the bench.

Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Te flashed the first chance wide after nine minutes.

The former Bolton forward directed a header off target after 16 minutes when he connected with a Taggart free-kick after being fouled by Kenny Gillet.

Grant Munro powered a header straight down the throat of Hibs keeper Jakub Divis mid-way through the half. The game's first on-target effort stemmed from a free-kick from Shane Sutherland. Hibs striker Vaz Te squandered his third opportunity of the game on the half hour when he nodded another ball from Taggart wide.

Moments later forward David Wotherspoon hammered over from 12 yards after being played through by midfielder Liam Miller.

Caley Thistle manager Terry Butcher left his seat in the stand to enter the technical area on 35 minutes to shout encouragement at his team - action which was cheered by the home fans.

His influence led to the opening goal on 40 minutes when Foran headed home. Rooney, showing all his striker's instincts, made sure the ball was over the line but Foran's angled header from close range was credited with the goal.

Nick Ross volleyed home Caley Thistle's second from the edge of the box in the 51st minute.The 19-year-old's first goal of the campaign - on his 50th appearance for Inverness - was the sweetest of strikes as it hit the crossbar before bouncing over the line from Rooney's deep cross. Hibs might have reduced arrears moments later when Vaz Te found David Wotherspoon but he blasted over from just inside the area.

The visitors came slightly closer with Richie Towell's effort but the low angled 20-yard shot failed to trouble Northern Ireland goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey. Vaz Te was next to fire wide for the Edinburgh club when he met a short free-kick from Liam Miller.

Divis then saved well from a low Rooney strike just after the hour following a through-ball from Shane Sutherland as Inverness finished on top.

Inverness CT: Tuffey, Tokely, Munro, Hogg, Gillet, Duff, Cox, Ross (Doran 89), Rooney (Polworth 90), Foran, Sutherland (Sanchez 86). Subs Not Used: Esson, Odhiambo, Morrison, MacDonald.

Hibernian: Divis, Towell, Hanlon, Stephens, Booth, Wotherspoon, Palsson, Miller (Scott 77), Stevenson (Horner 77), Taggart (Sodje 68), Vaz Te. Subs not used: Brown, Forster, Handling, Smith.