Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4 Falkirk 2

Last updated : 29 September 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Inverness Caledonian Thistle continued their rejuvenation under player-manager Craig Brewster as they comfortably defeated Falkirk.

Fresh from successive home wins over Hearts and Gretna on league and CIS Cup duty respectively, Caley Thistle threatened to overrun Falkirk as they surged into a two-goal lead inside the first 17 minutes.

Dennis Wyness took his tally for the season to four and three in the same number of games as he fired past Tim Krul from six yards, after Marius Niculae's shot had deflected into his path.

Ten minutes later and Russell Duncan emphasised Caley Thistle's earlier superiority, thumping home a 22-yard drive, albeit with the aid of a deflection off Kenny Milne, having only two minutes earlier been denied by the busy Krul.

The on-loan Newcastle United keeper then had to look lively to save from Wyness, although he was given a brief period of respite as Falkirk managed to find a way back into the contest on 27 minutes.

Tam Scobbie's cross caused panic in the home defence and it was fitting that Milne was hand to force the ball over the line after his earlier bad luck.

But any hopes of a Bairns comeback quickly disappeared four minutes later as Caley Thistle restored their two-goal lead.

A neat flick on by Niculae found Ian Black and his outstretched right boot poked the ball beyond Krul for his first Inverness goal since November 2005.

Caley Thistle were worthy of their lead at the interval, but the second half was only two minutes old when Falkirk responded once more.

The hosts failed to properly clear a Russell Latapy corner and the ball eventually worked its way to youngster Scott Arfield on the edge of the area and he unleashed an unstoppable first-time volley that found the top corner.

No sooner had Falkirk breathed new life into the contest, however, than Caley Thistle quashed hopes of a comeback.

Wyness was the main man once again, controlling a long ball forward before calmly guiding a low shot past the once more helpless Krul.

Duncan then went close to putting the gloss on another impressive Inverness performance late on, while Niculae hit the crossbar, although by then the game was over.