Inverness CT 1-3 Dundee United

Daly put United on their way to victory at Caledonian Stadium

Dundee United eased aside Inverness Caledonian Thistle to go third top of the Scottish Premier League.

Don Cowie's lob ended up on the top of the net as the Caley Thistle midfielder missed the best chance of an even, if slightly lacklustre, first half.

But Jon Daly headed United ahead six minutes after the break and Craig Conway volleyed the second.

David Robertson headed home from a corner before Adam Rooney's superb volley pulled a goal back.

It was a successful day for United's two replacements, Robertson having replaced the suspended Willo Flood and Conway coming in for the injured Francisco Sandaza.

And, with Hearts' match against Motherwell having been postponed because of a frozen pitch, United's victory lifted them above the Edinburgh side on goal difference.

Caley Thistle had also been forced into a change as they sought their second home win this season.

Suspension meant Jamie Duff replaced Ross Tokely in the Caley Thistle defence, while Andy Barrowman was chosen ahead of Garry Wood up front.

And, although the visitors were playing one up front, they put the rearranged home defence under pressure from the start, with Daly heading inches wide and a Garry Kenneth effort rolling across the face of goal.

Barrowman's clever first-time attempt from a Richard Hastings cross hit the side-netting at the other end.

Conway was instrumental in two of United's goals

Cowie was next to break through a static United back four, but the midfielder's lob landed the wrong side of the crossbar.

A fantastic ball from Kenneth gave Daly a chance to test Inverness goalkeeper Ryan Esson, but the Irishman's volley sailed over the bar.

The home side were growing in confidence, with an Ian Black shot taking a deflection before finishing wide of goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska's post before the match petered out before half-time.

But United struck six minutes after the break, Daly heading home from close range following a Danny Swanson cross.

Caley Thistle manager Craig Brewster, who has had some criticism for playing just one up front at home, brought on Adam Rooney for Dougie Imrie after 64 minutes.

And, within a minute, his more offensive formation fell further behind when Conway volleyed home after being set up by Daly.

The win was effectively secured when Robertson connected with Conway's corner to put United three ahead after 70 minutes.

Rooney's excellent finish two minutes later, from a Cowie cross, gave Inverness some late hope, but there was never any danger of a United collapse.

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Inverness manager Craig Brewster:
"I thought the first half we were solid and confident and maybe edged it slightly.

"But, we stood off them in the second half, and switched off at their first goal.

"After going one down we looked nervy.

"At 3-0 down we scored with the first real positive play we had through Adam Rooney.

"But, we're not scoring much, and that's always a worry as you need goals to win games."

Dundee United manager Craig Levein: "We're in third place now and the final league position are different things.

"I'm pleased about today's performance more than the league position.

"I said to the lads before the game if we have any aspirations to improve on last year's fifth-place finish, we need to come and get wins at places like this.

"It's a difficult place to come and get three points, but we won the game and deservedly so.

"We've been good the last few weeks and really grown in confidence.

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Inverness CT: Esson, Proctor, Duff, Munro, Hastings, Vigurs (Sutherland 84), Black, Cowie, Duncan, Imrie (Rooney 63), Barrowman (Wood 84).
Subs Not Used: Fraser, Djebi-Zadi, McBain, Wilson.

Booked: Proctor.

Goals: Rooney 73.

Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Kovacevic, Wilkie, Kenneth, Dixon, David Robertson, Swanson, Scott Robertson, Gomis, Conway, Daly.
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Dillon, Feeney, Grainger, Buaben, Goodwillie, McCord.

Booked: Swanson, Kovacevic.

Goals: Daly 51, Conway 64, David Robertson 71.

Att: 3,560

Ref: B Winter

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BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Dundee United's Jon Daly 8.80 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.

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