Inverness CT 1-0 Dundee United

Wilson celebrates his last-gasp winner for Inverness

Ten-man Inverness snatched an improbable SPL victory over Dundee United thanks to Barry Wilson's injury time winner at the Caledonian Stadium.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between for either side although the visitors had most of the possession.

United substitute Colin Samuel spurned a glorious opportunity with 20 minutes to go when he sent a header wide.

In a dramatic finish Grant Munro was sent-off before Wilson struck at the death with a clinical strike.

Interview: Inverness manager Charlie Christie

Interview: Dundee United manager Craig Levein

In a tetchy start to the game, United enjoyed the lion's share of the early possession without really threatening the Inverness defence.

Play was congested in the middle third of the park, where a heated battle between Russell Duncan and Barry Robson gathered steam.

In the 21st minute, goalkeeper Derek Stillie was called into action to deal with a half-volley from Barry Wilson, while at the other end, Michael Fraser did well to push a Robson shot around his far post.

Inverness continued to sleep-walk through the game, perhaps still suffering a hangover from last week's crushing last-minute Scottish Cup quarter final defeat to Celtic.

But they awoke from their slumber in the final ten minutes of the half.

In the 33rd minute, Wilkie needlessly gave away a corner after his wayward headed clearance following Ross Tokely's cross drifted out of play.

John Rankin curled in a dangerous cross from the set-piece and Tokely was extremely unfortunate to see a powerful header carry over the crossbar.

Shortly afterwards, Noel Hunt linked up well with Daly and after taking control of the ball following the striker's flick, Hunt's drive flew just over.

Both teams cancelled each other out in a drab encounter

A dull game was finally brought to life four minutes before the interval courtesy of a tremendous surge forward by the sprightly Wilson.

The midfielder did well to clip a cross towards the back post and his cross was met by Richard Hastings but the left-back's header was stopped by the timely intervention of Mark Kerr.

Only two minutes after the restart, the visitors were presented with a great opportunity to end the stalemate, but Hunt's header went wide when he should at least have tested Fraser in the Inverness goal.

Caley Thistle retaliated with a low Rankin drive which was comfortably gathered by Stillie, while in the 62nd minute Hunt again got too much purchase on an effort from close range.

With 20 minutes remaining substitute Samuel missed a glorious opportunity, when he sent a downward header wide after meeting a great cross from Christian Kalvenes.

Five minutes later Samuel almost atoned for his earlier miss when he did well to create space for a shot 18 yards from goal, but the Trinidad & Tobago international could only pull his right-footed drive past the post.

The Taysiders were desperate for the goal which their efforts arguably deserved and in a last throw of the dice, brought on David Goodwillie for Hunt.

It was Inverness who came close to grabbing a surprise winner though, when Duncan flashed a curling shot from 25 yards past a stranded Stillie's far post.

That scare came as a wake-up call to United and with five minutes remaining Fraser did brilliantly to parry a shot from Robson, after the visiting captain's neat turn on the edge of the Inverness penalty area.

Munro received a red card for a cynical foul on Robson in the closing stages, but it was 10-man Inverness who went on to win all three points thanks to a goal with the last kick of the ball.

Wilson's initial drive was saved by Stillie, but Graham Bayne knocked the rebound into the path of Paatelainen, who crossed for Wilson to score with a well-placed shot.

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Inverness CT: Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, Black, Duncan, Rankin (Paatelainen 73), Bayne, McAllister (McSwegan 64).

Subs Not Used: Ridgers, McCaffrey, Hart, Morgan, Sutherland.

Sent Off: Munro (90).

Booked: Black, Duncan.

Goals: Wilson 90.

Dundee Utd: Stillie, Dillon, McCracken, Wilkie, Kalvenes, Robertson (Samuel 46), Kerr, Gomis, Robson, Daly (Robb 73), Hunt (Goodwillie 81).

Subs Not Used: McLean, Mair, Watson, McCord.

Booked: Kalvenes.

Att: 3,901

Ref: S Finnie (Scotland).