Caley Thistle extended their unbeaten run to five games under new Manager Duncan Ferguson thanks to a 3-1 win against Ayr United at the Caledonian Stadium.
Caley Thistle raced into a 3-0 first-half lead thanks to goals from David Wotherspoon and a penalty from Billy Mckay.
It was an unchanged side from last weekend’s draw against Dundee United, as David Carson passed a late fitness test are being ruled as doubtful earlier in the week.
Luis Longstaff returned from injury to take a place on the bench.
It was a slow start to the match with neither side creating too much and Ayr were forced into an early change as Finn Ecrepont replaced the injured George Stranger.
Caley Thistle did take the lead after 32 minutes on the clock, a good move from the Caley Jags. Billy Mckay released Cameron Harper down the left and the left-back’s cross was headed on by David Carson to Nathan Shaw and his effort fell into the path of David Wotherspoon at close range to open the scoring.
It was 2-0 just moments later, Harper was involved again as his pass found David Wotherspoon in the box and his effort was smashed across goal and into the back of the net via a deflection.
Caley Thistle had the but between their teeth and were awarded a penalty just before the break. Charlie Gilmour was fouled in the box by Paddy Reading after a good move.
Billy Mckay stepped up to convert the penalty and to make it 3-0.
In the second-half, Billy Mckay had a chance to make it 4-0 as he was played through by a great pass from Morgan Boyes but the striker’s effort was saved by Robbie Mutch.
Ayr got a goal back on the hour mark, Mark Ridgers conceded a penalty as he was judged to have fouled Ahkeem Rose in the box. Jamie Murphy stepped up and converted the penalty to make it 3-1.
There wasn’t many chances before the end as Caley Thistle saw out a deserved win.