Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-1 St Johnstone

Inverness CT responded to back-to-back defeats with a win that sends them back to the top of the Premiership.

The Highlanders struck twice in five second-half minutes through Marley Watkins and Ryan Christie.

St Johnstone gave themselves hope with Brian Graham's second goal in three games, but their late flurry failed to produce another.

A deserved victory lifts John Hughes' side two points above previous leaders Hamilton.

And the three points were a tonic following a League Cup loss against Rangers and last weekend's humbling at Partick Thistle.

The first half did not have much in the way of goalmouth action, and a deflected shot from Greg Tansey, which flew over the top, was as close as either team got to a breakthrough.

The home side - with Graeme Shinnie and Ross Draper back after suspension - dominated possession in the first exchanges, but they struggled to find enough to unlock the opposing defence.

Saints' Alan Mannus punches clear

Hughes' men saw less of the play after the break, but struck twice before the hour mark to put themselves in a strong position and settle supporters' nerves.

First, in a speedy counter attack, the lively Aaron Doran broke down the left and squared the ball for Watkins, who side-footed home his first goal of the season.

That gave Inverness an edge, and the spark that the game had so far been lacking, as they looked to widen the gap between themselves and the deflated visitors.

And their positive work paid off as they managed to find the net again.

After the Saints backline failed to clear when they had the chance, 19-year-old Christie fired in an angled shot, which slipped through the gloves of goalkeeper Alan Mannus and squirmed over the line to double the advantage.

The tie was brought back to life for the travelling side when on-loan Dundee United striker Graham grabbed his third goal for the Perth team with a flashing header from Chris Millar's cross.

But, although it made the closing stages more interesting, Hughes' charges held out for a well-earned win.