Ross County0–2Inverness CT

Two early goals gave Caley Thistle a fine derby win and the margin should have been greater. The opening goal came in a record breaking 40 seconds from Man of the Match Barry Robson. He took a neat pass from Dennis Wyness, turned Paul Deas and sent a curling right foot shot low past Tony Bullock from just outside the box. Caley Thistle then laid siege to the County goal and were rewarded in bizarre fashion after eight minutes. Ross Tokely raced down the right wing then cut along the bye line before sending in a low ball goalwards. Bullock missed it and with no Caley Thistle player close enough to take advantage Mark McCulloch swept it into his own net. The away support expected a goal feast after this but despite much pressure it did not happen. Robson had a long range shot tipped over by Bullock in 22 minutes then another on-target blast was blocked in 33 minutes. Grant Munro headed over the rebound. A Paul Ritchie shot was diverted for a corner just before half time. County produced little in the first half but improved after the break. Mark Brown made his first real save in 55 minutes from a Steven Ferguson 22 yard shot. Ten minutes later Brown blocked an angled effort from County’s best player Steve Hislop then he punched away a dangerous Don Cowie corner. Ritchie and Roy McBain had shots blocked at the other end before County’s best chance six minutes from time. A Steve Mackay corner led to a chested goal-line clearance from McBain and an abortive penalty claim. With four minutes left a Bobby Mann free kick came off the post but a retake was ordered – this time Bullock saved. It ended 2-0 with Neale Cooper under more pressure and Caley Thistle still riding high.