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Inverness CT 1-0 Heart of Midlothian |
Hearts lost for the first time in seven matches as Inverness came out on top in a turgid affair played in difficult conditions.
Shane Sutherland's header early in the second half was enough to claim the points for the Highlanders.
Paulo Sergio made one enforced changed to the side that was so impressive against St. Mirren last weekend. Ryan McGowan returned from suspension to replace captain Marius Zaliukas, who began his one game suspension after being sent off against the Buddies.
Hearts were inches away from taking an early lead after Jamie Hamill's rasping third minute drive clipped the cross bar.
The conditions made things difficult for both sides, although the hosts were beginning to gain a territorial advantage, pushing Hearts back with speculative balls down the channels.
The Jambos were producing more quality in the final third when they did go forward. Robinson and Skacel combined well to create an opportunity for substitute David Templeton, but his shot lacked the power to trouble Esson after 25 minutes.
Inverness had the ball in the net ten minutes before half-time, although Gillet was flagged offside after Marian Kello spilled a shot from Hayes.
Caley were inches away from breaking the deadlock shortly before the break. Sutherland's first time curler had Kello beaten, but thankfully went the right side of the post from a Hearts perspective.
Tade came even closer just two minutes later, hooking a long throw in past Kello and along the goal line, again thankfully landing the right side of the post.
Terry Butcher's side were ahead two minutes after half-time. Hayes skipped past Webster on the left before standing a cross up to the far post. Sutherland met the ball firmly with his head, and it squirmed over the line despite Kello's best efforts.
Inverness continued to threaten after the goal, and Hearts were perhaps fortunate that Tade was wasteful with a couple of good deliveries that found him in the area.
Sutherland was inches away from getting his and Caley's second when his cross was caught in the wind and came back of Kello's left-hand post.
Hearts were struggling to create anything clear cut, typified when Scott Robinson fired wildly over from distance after 78 minutes.
David Templeton looked to have a strong claim for a penalty when he appeared to be tripped before pulling the trigger, but referee George Salmond said no.
John Sutton was inches away from an equaliser with minutes five left, but fired agonisingly wide from a tight angle.
Jamie Hamill's side footed effort in stoppage time from 18 yards found the target but was well held by Esson.
That was to be the last opportunity of the match as Inverness held on and Hearts' six game unbeaten run came to an end.
Inverness CT: Esson, Hayes, Tansey, Foran, Ross, Proctor, Tade (McKay 90), Sutherland, Gillet, Williams, Meekings. Subs not used: Tuffey, Piermayr, Morisson, Tokely, Shinnie.
Hearts: Kello, Hamill, Barr (Suso, 62), Webster, McGowan, Black (Obua, 67), Mrowiec, Robinson, Skacel, Elliott (Templeton, 18), Sutton. Subs not used: MacDonald, Prychynenko, Holt, Glen.
Referee: George Salmond
Top man: Andrew Webster
Today on HeartsTV - post-match reaction from Paulo Sergio.
