Inverness CT 2-1 Kilmarnock

A fortuitous early goal helped Inverness Caledonian Thistle overcome visitors Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

Aaron Doran's strike took a big deflection off a Killie defender and beat goalkeeper Craig Samson.

Graeme Shinnie fired the hosts' second early in the second half.

Darren Barr's strike - his first Kilmarnock goal - halved the visitors' deficit but they could not find an equaliser.

The win takes Terry Butcher's men to within five points of league leaders Celtic, while Killie remain apoint above second-bottom St Mirren.

The Ayrshire side had travelled to the Highlands were seeking a third consecutive victory and captain Maneul Pascali had an early drive from 22 yards that was straight at Inverness goalkeeper Dean Brill.

However, the hosts opened the scoring after Richie Foran had won possession in his own half and swept the ball upfield to Marley Watkins.

Watkins' cross found Billy McKay, who touched it back into Doran's path and the the midfielder's shot was diverted into the net off Sean Clohessy.

Kris Boyd has been in good form for Killie of late and he came close to hitting an equaliser after good work by Jeroen Tesselaar, the striker's drive fizzing over Dean Brill's crossbar.

The better opportunities were falling the way of the home side and Ross Draper had a chance to double their lead only to shoot over.

Killie were presented with their best chance as the interval approached. Brill's misplaced pass was seized upon by Michael Gardyne but the forward hesitated, allowing Foran to come back and make a timely clearance.

That missed opportunity would be one that Kilmarnock would rue just seven minutes into the second half as Caley Thistle doubled their advantage.

A wonderful, free-flowing team move eventually saw Foran's incisive pass release Shinnie, who cut past Barr and curled a lovely effort past Samson from 14 yards.

However, the visitors gave themselves a lifeline when Barr escaped the attentions of his marker to turn home an inswinging free-kick from substitute Sammy Clingan.

As quickly as they had reignited hopes of a comeback, the visitors almost fell two goals behind again - but the upright kept out a Nick Ross header after he had done well to connect with Doran's cross.

Five minutes of injury time featured Killie pushing forward in search of an equaliser but Inverness remained resolute to see the game out.