Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2-0 Dunfermline Athletic: Third-top side secure third straight win

Reece McAlear opened the scoring at Caledonian Stadium

Inverness Caledonian Thistle moved to within six points of second-top Arbroath in the Scottish Championship by beating Dunfermline Athletic.

Midfielder Reece McAlear was denied by the crossbar in as the home side dominated the first half before firing a fantastic 58th-minute opener.

Substitute striker Austin Samuels' fine finish with his first touch extended the lead with 13 minutes remaining.

Billy Dodds' side move four points clear of fourth-top Partick Thistle.

• Reaction & as it happened

And a third straight win means they narrow the gap with Arbroath, who were held at home by Raith Rovers.

Former Caley Thistle striker Nikolay Todorov and Ryan Dow were denied by home goalkeeper Cameron MacKay, but there was no way back for the Pars.

John Hughes' side remain three points clear of bottom side Queen of the South, but are now four adrift of Ayr United, who drew 1-1 away to Greenock Morton.