INVERNESS CT 2 Davies (45 og), Draper (65) ROSS COUNTY 3 Boyce (7, 27, 47)

LIAM BOYCE lit up the Highland derby with a wonderful hat-trick – and dedicated it to his daughter.

The Northern Ireland international claimed the match ball and will present it to his two-month old daughter, (named Scout), who was yet to see her daddy score.

Boyce, who left Inverness rock bottom without a point, said: “The only time we beat Caley Thistle last year was in the cup, , so it is just good to get one over them and get us up and running in the league.”

All rivalry aside, both teams were needing a shot in the arm after League Cup exits and opening day league defeats.

In the seventh minute, Craig Curran’s diagonal ball into the home box from the left found Boyce on the six-yard line for a simple header.

The hosts then suffered a big setback as defender Kevin McNaughton exited with an Achilles injury after only 24 minutes.

And with the hosts still down to 10 men, the second arrived for County after 27 minutes – and it proved a moment of true class from Boyce.

A pin-point ball forward by Richard Foster did the damage.

But Boyce’s control at the far side of the penalty area was exquisite as he dragged the high ball inside David Raven and whipped a rightfoot shot low past Fon Williams.

On half-time Ross Draper’s high ball forward had Davies challenging Scott Boden, with the ball squirming past Fox from 12 yards.

Video re-runs suggested it was an own-goal from Davies. But there was furore with County claiming they had already halted play after referee Andrew Dallas blew his whistle for off-side.

After consultation, the goal stood.

County restored the two-goal margin a couple of minutes after the break. A Chris Routis free-kick launched forward from the left, midway into home territory, again found the hosts vulnerable as Boyce completed his hat-trick at the far post, out-leaping Gary Warren to head home.

A fine Ross Draper volley slashed the advantage again after 65 minutes from the edge of the area.