Dee-spair as Doran dumps Dark Blues
John Robertson hailed his backs-to-the-walls heroes for finally digging out a big result against one of the Championship favourites.
The Caley Thistle manager, now in his third consecutive season in charge, saw the Highlanders fail to beat St Mirren in four attempts when the Buddies won the Championship two years ago.
It was the same last season when his Inverness team failed to conquer eventual winners Ross County and, this season, with two defeats so far to title tips Dundee United.
It was a measure of how big Robertson saw this match against the Dens Park club that he viewed this victory, sealed by Aaron Doran, as a sea-change.
The hard-fought win, with Dundee dominating possession but hitting a Thistle-shaped brick wall, took Inverness above the Dark Blues into third, a point behind Ayr, ten behind United.
Dundee stay 12 adrift of their city rivals and have lost their game in hand.
Robertson said: “If you look at the games against the top two or three teams in the last few seasons, we’ve not won any.
“So it was important today to be more resolute. I thought we showed that today, the whole team.”
After just one win in five games in the league, the hosts were desperate for a change in fortunes.
Robertson tweaked his side’s shape slightly, with Canada cap Charlie Trafford the deep midfielder in a 4-1-4-1 formation.
There was a look of greater solidity against a Dundee side stung by a home defeat to city rivals United before the international break.
Aaron Doran broke a 286-minute wait – since October 30 – for a Caley Thistle goal with a fine finish in the 16th minute.
David Carson showed great determination to win the ball in a strong challenge and then his low cross from the right left Doran with the tightest of angles to lift a shot past Connor Hazard at the far post, but the Irishman managed it brilliantly
The Dens men mustered little in response until 31 minutes.
Paul McGowan controlled with back to goal in the penalty box and turned to drive home, but was blocked by Brad Mckay.
Sean Mackie was sharp on to the rebound but saw his dig at goal parried superbly by keeper Mark Ridgers.
There were more flutters for Caley Thistle as Coll Donaldson made a brilliant saving tackle on Kane Hemmings after a neat Dundee move.
As Graham Dorrans launched a high ball back across goal, Jamie McCart’s header flew over the committed Ridgers and was heading into the net.
But the home side were saved by Carl Tremarco’s head as the Liverpudlian completed a tremendous goal-line clearance.
Caley Thistle should have doubled the lead after 62 minutes as a Charlie Trafford ball forward broke behind the away defence and the off-side flag stayed down for Doran.
The Irishman had only the keeper to beat, but hesitated at the vital moment and saw Hazard smother the ball at his feet.
Dundee, after a long spell of sustained pressure, blew a glorious chance to level with eight minutes left.
A Josh Todd cross found Danny Johnson free inside the six-yard box but the substitute stuck his volley wide.
Dens boss James McPake said: “We didn’t hurt them enough. We didn’t get it into the final third quickly enough.
“That was our downfall at the start of the season.
“Today was like a flip-back to the very start.”