Ross County0–3Inverness CT

A classic Highland derby and a convincing win for Caley Thistle. County finished with nine men and were always chasing the game. The visitors goals came from a Dennis Wyness brace and one from man-of-the-match Mike Teasdale. The game was played at a furious pace and Caley Thistle nearly took the lead in 10 minutes. Martin Bavidge sent over a cross from the right and Wyness headed over the bar. From the corner Bobby Mann seemed to head home with Nicky Walker beaten but it was cleared off the line by Eddie Cunnington. Five minutes later at the other end Jim Calder tipped over a Brian Irvine header. Just after the half hour mark John Fraser ran in on Calder but his shot was blocked by the keeper. In 35 minutes a Darren Henderson angled lob beat Calder but came back off the post and was cleared. A minute later David Bagan sent Teasdale clear down the right and he ran on before hitting a low ball into the box. Wyness swept it past Walker from 8 yards to give the visitors the lead. In 56 minutes Charlie Christie passed to Teasdale who this time ran down the left. From just inside the box he sent in a curling lob which deceived Walker totally and ended up in the back of the net. On the hour mark Caley Thistle got a fright when Calder completely missed a pass back and the ball slid past the post for a corner. In 63 minutes Darren Henderson followed through on Calder after the keeper had saved the ball and he was sent off for a second yellow card. The third goal was again set up for Wyness by Teasdale. Wyness was closed down by two players but somehow squeezed the ball past Walker from 15 yards. In 74 minutes frustration in the County ranks surfaced when Alex Bone received a second yellow card after a foul on Christie. Words were exchanged and Bone seemed to punch Christie. Bone's reaction led to a second red in the referees room after the match then incredibly he received a third for further protests. County were now down and out and it was only a question of whether Caley Thistle would score more. Wyness tried hard for his hat trick and had three good shots in the last 10 minutes, two over the bar and one well saved by Walker. A first-class performance by Caley Thistle and a well deserved win.