Inverness were celebrating against St Mirren

Caley Thistle had been cruising 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 header.

And, following a great save by Caley Thistle goalkeeper Mark Brown to deny Garry Brady, Mark Corcoran struck the crossbar in a frantic finale.

Interview: Inverness manager Charlie Christie

Interview: St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson

Inverness were without the suspended Ian Black but had welcomed back Barry Wilson and Russell Duncan.

John Potter, Kevin McGowne, John Sutton and David McKenna came into the St Mirren line-up.

But it was the home side who quickly settled into the match and went ahead in the fifth minute through Bayne's stooping header from a Roy McBain cross.

Caley Thistle had Brown to thank for preserving their lead four minutes later when the goalkeeper produced an outstanding save to push away McKenna's low shot from 10 yards.

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

McBairn, Wyness and Darren Dods all went close as Inverness dominated the first half.

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson chose to make a substitution at half-time and McKenna was sacrificed for Stephen McGinn.

The visitors started the second period and Broadfoot advanced tested Brown with a swerving effort, full of pace and venom.

Rankin drew a good save from Bullock before John Potter hacked the ball away from the Buddies' goal as Wilson looked to slide it into the net.

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.

Bayne squandered one opportunity before having another attempt well saved by Bullock.

But St Mirren were back in the game with 14 minutes remaining as Broadfoot rose unchallenged to power a header past Brown from close range following Richard Brittain's corner.

Brown was then forced into producing a stunning save to prevent Brady from equalising with a diving header from eight yards.

Corcoran managed to strike the crossbar with a right-footed effort that was swung across goal from an acute angle.

And an entertaining game was ended with a goalmouth scramble that Caley Thiste survived to take three points.

Inverness CT: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (McCaffrey 88), Duncan (Morgan 84), Rankin, McBain, Wyness, Bayne.
Subs Not Used: Fraser, Dargo, Soane, Sutherland, McAllister.

Booked: McBain, Rankin.

Goals: Bayne 5, Wyness 22.

St Mirren: Bullock, McGowne, Potter (Gemmill 87), Broadfoot, van Zanten, Reid (Mackay 65), Brittain, Brady, McKenna (McGinn 46), Sutton, Corcoran.
Subs Not Used: Smith, Millen, Maxwell, Docherty.

Goal: Broadfoot 77.

Att: 4,246