St Johnstone 0-1 Inverness CT (original) (raw)

Garry Warren's first-half header gave Inverness Caledonian Thistle a narrow Scottish Premiership win over St Johnstone.

The defender rose highest to nod Richie Foran's pass into the net.

The goal was a deserved one for the visitors after a first half in which they created the better chances.

Saints' Nigel Hasselbaink headed a gilt-edged chance off target after David Wotherspoon's shot had been blocked in the second period.

The win for Inverness stretches the gap between the two sides to nine points with John Hughes' side now level on points with fourth-place Dundee United.

And Hibernian, who drew with Kilmarnock, move level on points with St Johnstone, meaning Tommy Wright's men have preserved their top-six place by virtue of a superior goal difference.

Frazer Wright's injury, which required the defender to be stretchered off, compounded a disappointing day for the hosts.

Indeed, Saints almost fell behind early on when Warren headed a Josh Meekings cross wide.

Inverness continued to press and Billy McKay's shot was beaten away by Alan Mannus before Greg Tansey drove wide.

Mannus then saved bravely at the feet of McKay but the visitors soon made the breakthrough.

David Raven swung in a high cross that Foran nodded down and back up into the air for Warren to power home.

Stevie May tried to force a St Johnstone equaliser early in the second half but his shot was blocked by Warren.

Hasselbaink, who tested Dean Brill twice in the first half, should have levelled when presented with a chance on the rebound following Wotherspoon's but could not direct his header into the net.

And the match ended on a sour note for the hosts when Wright sustained suspected ligament damage and was taken from the field on a stretcher.

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