It was the first Highland Derby of the season today and Manager Terry Butcher selected the same starting eleven that drew 2-2 with Dundee last weekend.  Ross County had ex-ICT players Steven Watt, Iain Vigurs and Garry Wood in their ranks.

 On the 10th minute Ross County took the lead, a Paul Lawson corner kick was headed down in the box by Steven Watt for Stuart Kettlewell, his overhead kick was blocked but feel kindly for the unmarked Paul Di Giacomo to volley high into the net.

Ten minutes later and a great block by Lionel Djebi-Zadi prevented a certain second goal for County.  Michael Gardyne broke clear in the box and his cut back took out goalkeeper Ryan Esson but the French left back slid in to block Richard Brittain's shot from reaching the net.

A Paul Lawson strike from 30 yards stung the hands of Ryan Esson as we struggled to get a fold hold in the game.

Half-time score: ICT 0 - Ross County 1 (Di Giacomo 10 mins)

Ross County extended their lead with 53 minutes played, Richard Brittain's low cross into the box was back heeled towards goal by ex-ICT man Iain Vigurs and his neat piece of skill was deflected into the net by Nauris Bulvitis.

Seven minutes later and we pulled a goal back, Richie Foran's cross from the right flank went right across the face of goal and at the back post Jonny Hayes drove the ball home.

Striker Adam Rooney replaced David Proctor on the 65th minute which meant a change in formation to three at the back.  Two minutes later and Rooney came close to the equaliser when his header from a Robert Eagle was cleared off the line by Richard Brittain.

Eighteen minutes before the end Adam Rooney found himself in behind the County defence but he struggled to get his shot away and then appeared to be upended in the box but referee Stephen Finnie waved play on.

However it was County that extended their lead on the 76th minute, Martin Scott went past Bulvitis on the left and his cross to the back post was pulled down by Richard Brittain inside the box and fired home past Ryan Esson.

Midfielder Russell Duncan came on with ten minutes left for Danni Sanchez.  Two minutes later and Richie Foran was the first booking of the afternoon.  Youngster Nick Ross replaced Lionel Djebi-Zadi with five minutes left for play.

Full-time score: ICT 1 (Hayes 60 mins) - Ross County 3 (Di Giacomo 10 mins, Vigurs 53 mins, Brittain 76 mins)

ICT Team

Esson

Proctor, Bulvitis, Munro, Djebi-Zadi

Hayes, Stratford, Cox, Eagle

Foran, Sanchez

Subs: Rooney for Proctor (65 mins), McBain, Duncan for Sanchez (80 mins), Ross for Djebi-Zadi (85 mins), Allison (GK)

Attendance: 5846