NEIL McCANN lauded the walking wounded of Inverness Caledonian Thistle after they belied fatigue to claim a crucial victory against Raith Rovers. 

A delightful second-half chip from Daniel Mackay was enough to secure a 1-0 triumph against the Fifers, who endured 80 minutes with 10 men after Iain Davidson was dismissed after striking Nikolay Todorov with an errant arm. 

The win — Inverness’ first in seven attempts, and McCann’s first as their interim boss — sees the Caley Jags move clear of the relegation playoff position and considering how tight the second tier is, may still nurse promotion dreams.

Rovers, meanwhile, have now gone three matches without a victory, or a goal, and continued a bizarre hoodoo: they have now failed to beat the Highlanders in 23 attempts, dating back to October 2000. 

“I’m absolutely thrilled for the boys,” beamed McCann, after Inverness’ fifth match in March already. “They have given everything again. 

“The amount of games we have had as a team is incredible and I’m so happy for them.

“All I’m interested in now is trying to get the boys recovered because there are guys playing with injuries, but putting their hands to the pump.”