Inverness Caledonian Thistle last night recorded their first competitive victory since beating Falkirk in the Scottish Cup final almost four months ago.
It was the returning James Vincent, the match-winning hero on that glorious May day, who set John Hughes' side on their way before debutant Miles Storey sealed the win at the end, moments after Hearts had Juwon Oshaniwa sent off for an off-the-ball altercation.
For the Tynecastle side, who had been spoken of as dark horses for the title after starting their Premiership campaign with five consecutive victories, this was a second consecutive defeat in which they ended with ten men.
Unlike at Hamilton a fortnight previously, when Callum Paterson's controversial dismissal proved pivotal, the visitors could have few complaints about the outcome to a match in which they contributed little of note.
Despite the idyllic late-summer conditions under the Kessock Bridge, the match was something of a slow-burner with neither side able to generate any rhythm in the first half. Hearts captain Alim Ozturk had the first attempt of the match in the 19th minute, although his strike, from 35 yards out, sailed harmlessly past Owain Fon Williams' left-hand post.
Inverness had their first notable shot in the 26th minute but Greg Tansey's low drive from 25 yards out, which took a deflection, was easily gathered by Neil Alexander. Hearts debutant Danny Swanson looked lively whenever he got on the ball and after the new signing had a shot charged down on the edge of the box, Oshaniwa drove a low left-footed strike just past the near post in the 33rd minute.
Inverness made the breakthrough four minutes after the break when Ryan Christie, in his first match since signing for Celtic and being loaned back, darted down the left, hit the bye-line, and drilled the ball across the face of goal for Vincent, who beat Oshaniwa to the cross and forced it into the net from close range.
The hosts could have gone further ahead in the 62nd minute when Swanson was robbed of possession by Ross Draper midway inside his own half. The Inverness midfielder charged into the Hearts box, but Swanson got back to redeem himself with a vital saving tackle.
Subs Billy King and Jamie Walker brought a bit of spark to Hearts' play, with both going close from the edge of the box.
Inverness introduced Tobi Sho-Silva for his debut in the 73rd minute and shortly after heading wide from a Storey cross, the on-loan Charlton Athletic forward was involved in the incident that led to Oshaniwa being sent off with three minutes left. The Nigerian was shown a straight red card after raising his hands to Sho-Silva in an off-the-ball altercation while defending a corner in the Hearts goalmouth. The outcome was put beyond doubt when Storey drilled home from close range in the last minute after latching on to an Iain Vigurs' cross at the back post.
Inverness: Fon Williams, Raven, Tremarco, Meekings, Devine, Tansey, Draper, Williams, Vincent (Vigurs 76), Christie (Sho-Silva 73), Storey. Unused subs: Esson, Lopez, Foran, Wedderburn, Horner.
Hearts: Alexander, Paterson, Ozturk, Rossi, Oshaniwa, McKirdy (Reilly 78), Buaben, Sow (King 59), Swanson (Swanson 67), Nicholson, Juanma. Unused subs: Hamilton, Augustyn, Pallardo, McGhee.
Ref: Steven McLean
Att: 4160
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