Inverness CT 0-1 Hearts

The Czech international scored his seventh goal in seven games when he drilled in a low shot after 28 minutes.

Inverness thought they had equalised in the 41st minute through Craig Dargo, but the striker was ruled offside.

The home side pushed forward late on and went close when Craig Brewster's headed knockdown was forced narrowly wide by the knees of Grant Munro.

Hearts closed out their seventh successive victory in a scrappy second half and, with Kilmarnock losing and Celtic and Hibs playing on Sunday, moved further ahead at the top of the table.

Skacel is just the second player to score in seven consecutive SPL games, drawing level with former Celtic striker Mark Viduka's record.

A confident Hearts side made the brighter start in the swirling rain at Caledonian Stadium and within the first minute registered a shot on Mark Brown's goal.

Paul Hartley lined-up a free-kick from 20 yards and his low effort sneaked through the wall, zipped along the turf and was well gathered by the goalkeeper.

Hearts skipper Steven Pressley headed wide from an in-swinging Hartley corner, before Skacel produced a stinging drive from 25 yards that was pushed wide by Brown.

Hearts then took the lead thanks to the prolific Skacel.

A throw-in from Greek international Fyssas found its way into the middle of the penalty box and when the ball broke to Skacel his low shot arrowed into the bottom right-hand corner.

Inverness thought they had equalised thanks to Dargo, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

The home side enjoyed more of the ball in the second half but found it difficult to create any openings against the well organised Hearts defence.

Hearts faded as an attacking force but Skacel did get forward again and saw his low drive from the edge of the box well saved by Brown.

With 10 minutes remaining, Munro nearly bundled home an equaliser but he could not direct his effort from Brewster's flick-on towards goal.

And Hearts comfortably played out time to maintain their magnificent start to the season.

Inverness CT: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Golabek, Wilson (Morgan 77), Proctor, Black, McBain (Fox 45), Dargo (Hart 84), Brewster. Subs Not Used: Fraser, Duncan, Parratt, Finnigan.

Booked: Brewster, Black.

Hearts: Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Fyssas (Wallace 64), McAllister (Camazzola 55), Hartley, Brellier, Skacel, Jankauskas (Simmons 87), Bednar. Subs Not Used: Banks, Cesnauskis, Berra, Elliot.

Booked: Skacel. Goals: Skacel 28.

Att: 6,704

Ref: M McCurry

Taken from the BBC