A controversial penalty and a fine Johnny Hayes goal
meant the points headed north from Rugby Park.
A quiet first half was sparked into life when Russell Duncan went
down in the box from a Momo Sissoko challenge, which Adam Rooney
converted.
Kilmarnock wasted several chances, and Hayes made them pay, robbing
Frazer Wright before coolly slotting home.
However, Rui Miguel's header from Harry Forrester's cross made for a
nervy finish for the Highlanders.
Wright returned to the Kilmarnock eleven after suspension replacing
Forrester, while veteran Duncan was recalled to the visitors' midfield
with Gil Blumenshtein sidelined through injury.
Duncan had the first attempt of the match, but could only blaze his
shot off target.
Kilmarnock's influential Finnish playmaker Alexei Eremenko then
carved out an opportunity for his side when he picked out Liam Kelly
with a fine pass, but Kelly's first touch let him down and he shot
tamely at Ryan Esson in the Inverness goal.
Irish striker Conor Sammon then had a headed chance for the home
side, but Ross Tokely was on hand to clear his effort over the bar.
However, the visitors refused to buckle under the home side's
pressure and forced three corners in succession, although without
carving out a clear-cut chance.
The game was swinging rapidly from end to end, but both defences were
sharp enough to prevent either set of attackers from creating anything
of note.
With the half-time whistle approaching and still no sign of a goal,
Sissoko was adjudged to have brought down Duncan inside the box and
referee Euan Norris instantly pointed to the spot.
Rooney coolly slotted the resultant spot-kick past Cammy Bell to
claim his seventh goal of the season.
With the Killie players still incensed by the penalty award, Manuel
Pascali passed up a great chance to bring the sides level, but headed
over the bar from close range.
Manager Mixu Paatelainen had clearly fired up his players in the
half-time interval and Sammon went close to equalising when he picked up
on Eremenko's through-ball, but, although his lob beat Esson, he had to
watch on aghast as his effort went agonisingly wide.
Barely a minute later Eremenko was next to have an effort with a low,
rifled, bending effort form 25-yards which flashed just past the post.
Sammon then put the ball past the post from only yards out, with the
Rugby Park fans screaming for a penalty for what seemed a handball from
Graeme Shinnie, but nothing was awarded.
Hayes then doubled Inverness's lead with a fine finish to claim his
second goal in three games, stealing the ball from Wright and slotting
the ball past Bell.
Kilmarnock could not be faulted for effort as they strived for an
equaliser, but Terry Butcher's team held on for a valuable three points
which continue their impressive start to the season.
Sandy's Match Pic's are HERE
74 mins