Inverness CT 0-1 Motherwell

Foran strokes his penalty past Mark Brown in the Inverness goal

Ten-man Inverness made it 372 minutes without a goal as they were beaten by Motherwell at the Caledonian Stadium thanks to a late Richie Foran penalty.

It had been a match of few chances as the Steelmen moved six points clear of Dunfermline at the foot of the table.

Just as the match looked to heading towards a goal-less draw, Darren Dods upended Scott McDonald inside the penalty area and was duly sent off.

Foran then stepped up to score his third penalty in two games to seal it.

Christie disappointed with form

Malpas will take the break

Charlie Christie made one change to the side which drew with Hearts last time out with Dennis Wyness, who has not scored a league goal since February, replaced by Graham Bayne.

Motherwell manager Maurice Malpas also made just the one change with the fit again Stephen Craigan coming in for Willie Kinniburgh who was named as a substitute.

In an uneventful first half, the visitors looked the most likely with Jim Paterson curling a free-kick over and Jim Paterson seeing a long range drive flash wide of Mark Brown's goal.

Barry Wilson should have broken the deadlock for the home side in the 43rd minute when through on goal but the veteran winger could only shoot straight at Colin Meldrum.

Motherwell's best opportunity came shortly afterwards when David Clarkson's cross just eluded Scott McDonald.

The second half began in similar fashion with both goalkeepers unthreatened.

Ian Black and Brian Kerr battle it out at the Caledonian Stadium

There was a worry for Motherwell when Keith Lasley was stretchered off with a bad injury following a challenge on Ian Black, Lasley was also booked for his trouble.

The game looked to be ending in stalemate when Darren Dods brought down Scott McDonald inside the box.

Dods had already been booked earlier in the match and was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Foran, who had scored twice from the spot against Falkirk last week, drove the ball right down the middle to win the match for Motherwell and seal an important three points.

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Inverness CT: Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (Rankin 82), Duncan (Hart 68), Black, McBain, Bayne, Dargo (McAllister 64). Subs not used: Fraser, McCaffrey, Wyness, Sutherland.

Sent Off: Dods (88).

Booked: Tokley, Dods, McBain.

Motherwell: Meldrum, Quinn, Craigan (Kinniburgh 89), Reynolds, Paterson, McGarry, Lasley (Corrigan 74), Kerr, Foran, Clarkson (Elliot 72), McDonald. Subs not used: Graeme Smith, Fitzpatrick, Darren Lee Smith, Connolly.

Goal: Foran 89 pen.

Booked: Lasley.

Att: 3668

Ref: E Smith.