Inverness CT 3-0 Gretna

Marius Niculae fires home his second and Inverness' third

Inverness striker Marius Niculae scored his fourth goal in three games to secure victory over lowly Gretna.

The Romanian striker drilled home his first with a crisp 25-yard drive after 33 minutes from Russell Duncan's pass.

John Rankin doubled the home side's lead from the spot after Niculae was fouled by Chris Innes.

Niculae compounded Gretna's misery with his second and Inverness' third with a volley on 44 minutes, after Ross Tokley headed on Grant Munro's corner.

Interview: Inverness CT manager Craig Brewster

Interview: Gretna manager Davie Irons

Inverness striker Dennis Wyness shook off a hamstring injury and was preferred to Graham Bayne.

With Phil McGuire suspended, the only other change from Wednesday's single-goal loss to Aberdeen saw David Proctor return in defence.

Gretna made three changes to the team who lost at Celtic in their last outing.

David Cowan has been released, Ryan McGuffie moved to Morton, while Nicky Deverdics dropped to the bench.

Craig Barr, Chris Innes and Henry Makinwa were all handed starts.

Gretna goalkeeper Tony Caig was forced into action early on when Don Cowie and Tokely combined well on the right and Ian Black's 25-yard drive was well saved.

Gretna were unable to contain the in-form Niculae

In the 23rd minute, the visitors survived a scare when Tokely's header from a John Rankin corner caused chaos in the Gretna penalty area and Proctor's shot was deflected over.

Niculae gave the hosts the lead with a superb shot after collecting Duncan's pass and rifling the ball past the despairing Caig.

Gretna were finding it increasingly difficult to contain Niculae and he earned his side a penalty when Innes fouled him in the box.

Rankin scored from the spot and Niculae added a third before half-time with a sweet volley after Munro's corner was headed on.

Inverness remained in control of the game after the break and Rankin's drive was deflected wide.

Caig then pushed a header from substitute Markus Paatelainen over the bar as the hosts were unable to add to their goal tally.

---

Inverness CT: Fraser; Tokely, Proctor, Munro, Hastings, Cowie, Black, Duncan, Rankin, Niculae, Wyness. Subs: Malkowski, McBain, Bayne, Paatelainen, Vigurs, Gillespie, Duff.

Goals: Marius Niculae 33, 41. Rankin 38.

Gretna: Caig, Barr, Collin, Innes, Horwood, Jenkins, Yantorno, Murray, Skelton, Deuchar, Makinwa. Subs: Fleming, Canning, Grady, Deverdics, McGill, McLaren, Osman.

Ref: D McDonald