Inverness CT 0-1 Hearts

Hearts secured a narrow victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in a low-key encounter.

Hearts opened the scoring after 22 minutes when Bruno Aguiar struck from 20 yards out.

Adam Rooney was denied a penalty before half-time when he appeared to be pushed over by Lee Wallace but the referee waved away the protests.

A scrappy second-half failed to entertain and Hearts held on to collect all three points.

Rooney and Andy Barrowman started for Inverness along with a rare start for Barry Wilson, with Garry Wood and Iain Vigurs dropping to bench.

Michael Stewart returned from suspension for Hearts along with skipper Robbie Neilson, while David Obua and Ruben Palazuelos dropped to the bench.

Hearts had the first opportunity of the match when Grant Munro fouled Christian Nade on the edge of the box, but Andrew Driver fired the resulting free-kick over the bar.

Caley pushed forward with Ian Black finding Dougie Imrie, but he rushed his effort and Janos Balogh gathered easily.

However, the visitors opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Driver found Aguiar on the edge of the box and the Portuguese midfielder feigned before striking a low drive from 20 yards out past the helpless Ryan Esson.

Lee Barrowman was left disappointed as the half-time whistle approached when he stabbed the ball past Balogh, but failed to get it past the Hearts defence.

Rooney was denied a penalty when he appeared to be pushed over by Wallace but the referee waved away claims for a spot-kick.

Hearts could have doubled their lead shortly after the break when Driver crossed for Nade, but the Frenchman's effort was blocked by team-mate Wallace.

Aguiar blasted a free-kick straight at a two-man Caley defensive wall and a long throw-in from Grant Munro caused problems for the Hearts defence with Rooney's overhead kick blocked before the ball eventually fell to Dougie Imrie who sent his shot too high.

Robbie Neilson tried to lob Esson after 78 minutes but the full-back's volley went wide.

David Proctor fouled Driver on the edge of the box with less than 10 minutes left, but the danger was cleared.

Vigurs was denied by Balogh in the closing stages but Hearts held on for victory.

Inverness manager Craig Brewster:
"We could have played until midnight and not scored today, it was one of those days.

"We lost the goal early in the game and I think that suited Hearts. They were difficult to break down, but we had one or two chances, so we can't say we never.

"Credit to the players for the effort that they put in to try and get back on level terms, but we just lacked that wee bit of magic in the final third."

Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo:
"It is nice to win three games, but the most important thing is that this is the third game with one zero.

"I think our performance, especially in the second half was okay.

"We didn't give them any chance and if you can do this, you can talk about a great performance.

"You cannot win ugly or pretty, you can win and if you win, you are always beautiful."

Inverness CT: Esson, Tokely, Proctor, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (Vigurs 59), Black (McBain 15), Duncan, Imrie, Rooney, Barrowman (Wood 63). Subs Not Used: Fraser, McAllister, Sutherland, Duff.

Hearts: Balogh, Neilson, Jonsson, Berra, Lee Wallace, Aguiar, Zaliukas, Stewart, Karipidis, Driver (Obua 86), Nade (Makela 90). Subs Not Used: Kello, Palazuelos, Mole, Thomson, Brown.

Booked: Zaliukas.

Goals: Aguiar 22.

Att: 4,011

Ref: M Tumilty

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Hearts' Bruno Aguiar 8.83 (on 90 minutes).

Taken from the BBC