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Inverness CT 2-0 Hibernian

David Proctor fires Inverness in front against Hibs
David Proctor fired Inverness into a first-half lead

David Proctor was on target as Inverness secured maximum points against Hibs at the Caledonian Stadium.

The hosts took the lead in 14 minutes when Proctor fired home after good work by Dougie Imrie and Eric Odhiambo.

Jonatan Johansson spurned a great Hibs chance when he sent his shot wide after springing the offside trap.

Inverness doubled their lead through Richie Foran from close-range after Imrie's effort was parried by Hibs goalkeeper Gregorz Szamotulski.

The hosts were looking for only their second home league win of the season and Proctor's strike was reward for their bright start.

Hibs pushed on though and after 21 minutes Johansson beat the offside trap but, with just Ryan Esson to beat, he slid a low shot wide from the edge of the box.

Derek Riordan switched from the left to the right flank and his teasing cross was plucked out of the air by Esson.

Hibs toiled to create anything of note on a frustrating afternoon for the Edinburgh side.

In the closing moments of the first half, Foran saw an effort dip over the bar as he connected with Ross Tokely's cross.

The Highlanders got their second goal after 64 minutes when Foran pounced to fire home after Imrie's drive was not properly cleared by the Hibs defence.

In the closing moments, substitute Adam Rooney bore down on goal but he was unable to score a third for the hosts.

Victory saw Inverness close the gap on 11th-placed Falkirk to a single point as the side's resurgence under new manager Terry Butcher continues.


Inverness CT manager Terry Butcher:
"It was a great three points, just what we needed.

"We have an excellent back four, who are - excuse the phrase - ugly at the right times."

"We have shown that we have desire and belief and that's essential.

"Three of our next four games are at home and we hope that we can make home advantage pay."

Hibernian manager Mixu Paatelainen:
"We had too many players who felt all they had to do is turn up and things would happen for them.

"Maybe they thought their talent would carry them through, because the work-rate wasn't good enough, although I must say that is not often the case.

"All credit to the Inverness players, who were hungry to get on the ball and had the desire to make things happen."


Inverness CT: Esson, Tokely, Mihadjuks, Munro, Djebi-Zadi, Proctor, Kerr, McBain, Foran, Odhiambo (Rooney 78), Imrie (Morais 87). Subs Not Used: Fraser, Hastings, Wood, Duff, Vigurs.

Booked: Foran.

Goals: Proctor 15, Foran 65.

Hibernian: Szamotulski, McCormack (Nish 71), Hogg, Jones, Stevenson, Rosa (O'Brien 67), Bamba, Chisholm (Keenan 46), Fletcher, Johansson, Riordan. Subs Not Used: Ma-Kalambay, van Zanten, Thicot, Rankin.

Booked: Bamba, Nish, Keenan.

Att: 4,116

Ref: A Muir


BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Inverness' Adam Rooney 8.00 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.



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see also
SPL as it happened
21 Feb 09 |  Scottish Premier
SPL photo gallery
21 Feb 09 |  Scotland


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