Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 - 1 St Mirren

Inverness CT 2-1 St Mirren

Updated: January 1, 2007, 5:19 PM UK

Inverness moved into eighth place in the Bank of Scotland Premier League with a hard-earned 2-1 win over St Mirren.

The Highlanders had to survive a late scare in order to secure all three points.

Caley Thistle had been cruising to victory after Graham Bayne's early header and a superb strike from Dennis Wyness gave them a two-goal lead at the break.

But Kirk Broadfoot pulled a goal back for the Buddies with a 76th-minute header and following a great save by Mark Brown to deny Garry Brady, Mark Corcoran struck the crossbar in a frantic conclusion to the game.

Inverness quickly settled into the match and raced into the lead in the fifth minute, when Bayne converted the Highlanders' first meaningful attack of the game.

Roy McBain was the architect in digging out a cross on the right side of St Mirren's penalty area, which was perfectly placed for Bayne to attack with a stooping header which left goalkeeper Tony Bullock with no chance.

Caley Thistle had Brown to thank for preserving their lead four minutes later, though, when the home goalkeeper produced an outstanding save to push away David McKenna's low shot from 10 yards after a driving run and cross from Mark Corcoran.

But in the 21st minute Inverness doubled their advantage when Wyness chested down a cross from the left touchline by Richard Hastings, before lashing a brilliant half-volley past Bullock.

The home side were in total control of proceedings, with St Mirren offering almost nothing in attack and a neat passing exchange between Russell Duncan, Bayne and Wyness once again carved open the Buddies defence.

Unfortunately for Wyness, his final effort was poor and the ball sliced harmlessly away from goal.

The visitors started the second period in far better fashion and in the 52nd minute Broadfoot advanced far enough up the pitch from his central defensive station to test Brown with a swerving effort, full of pace and venom.

That scare brought Inverness back to life though and from Bayne's cut-back, John Rankin drew a good save from Bullock, before John Potter hacked the ball away from the Buddies goal as Wilson looked to slide the ball into the net.

Within a minute Rankin sent a low cross into the St Mirren penalty area which was completely missed by Kevin McGowne. Bayne could not take advantage of the opportunity, as his stabbed shot never troubled Bullock.

The Inverness striker made a far better connection on the ball shortly afterwards when he connected with Wilson's cross, although Bullock was again on hand to make another strong save.

St Mirren slowly came back into the game and found an equaliser with 14 minutes remaining, as Broadfoot rose unchallenged to power a header past Brown from close range following Richard Brittain's corner.

That breakthrough gave the visitors a huge lift and Brown was then forced into producing a stunning save to prevent Brady from equalising with a diving header from eight yards.

The Buddies continued to surge forward and Corcoran managed to strike the crossbar with a right-footed effort which was swung across goal from an acute angle.

An entertaining game ended with a goalmouth scramble in the Caley Thistle box, but St Mirren's revival was ultimately too late, as Inverness recorded only their second win in 11 games.