A Tom Hateley free-kick snatched the three points for Motherwell in a thrilling match at Scottish Premier League basement team Inverness.

David Davis curled in an early opener for the hosts but Motherwell found themselves level at the interval when Shaun Hutchinson headed home.

'Well's Jamie Murphy and opponent Gregory Tade each hit the bar before Andrew Shinnie slotted Inverness ahead.

But Keith Lasley blasted Well level and Hateley hit a late winner.

Motherwell's match-winning goal had come about when Chris Hogg was sent off for bringing down Murphy on the edge of the box as he raced for goal.

Davis put Terry Butcher's team ahead after four minutes at the Caledonian Stadium, his side-footed first-time curling shot beating Darren Randolph in the Well goal.

That effort was followed by one from Greg Tansey, but the English midfielder's shot was directed straight at Randolph.

Sadly for the visitors, Steven Hammell was stretched off after a hefty challenge from Josh Meekings, with Ross Forbes taking his place. Meekings was booked.

Shinnie tested Randolph with a neat turn and shot at the edge of the box after a Tade lay-off.

And Tade set up Tansey moments later and his powerful shot was saved at full stretch by the Well keeper. Randolph.

But the game turned dramatically when Hutchinson rose to meet Hateley's cross and levelled the score with six minutes of the first half remaining.

Incredibly, Murphy could have snatched an ill-deserved half-time lead when his cross-come-shot hit the crossbar and the same player flashed a shot wide in stoppage time.

Early in the second half, Davis hammered a shot that was deflected for a corner, then Shane Sutherland blazed over the bar after good work by Tade.

The Frenchman rattled the Motherwell crossbar with a ferocious shot when a more delicate finish would have sufficed as Inverness looked the more likely team to take the three points.

Hutchinson made an important challenge on Shinnie to deny Inverness a goalscoring chance but the hosts, and Shinnie, could not be denied for long.

Jonny Hayes' introduction for Tade on 70 minutes had lifted the home fans and five minutes later he was instrumental in setting up Shinnie to coolly give Inverness a deserved lead.

Butcher will have been seething at how things transpired in the following moments.

His players backed off as experienced 'Well midfielder Lasley pushed forward and from wide on the right he smacked a screamer past Esson to level the score 90 seconds later.

And it worsened when Inverness defender Hogg was shown a straight red card in 83 minutes for hauling back Murphy on the edge of the box.

Hateley took responsibility for the set piece and fired a shot into the top left-hand corner of the goal to give the Steelmen a win that did not look likely.

Cruelly for the Highlanders, the result keeps them rooted to the bottom of the SPL table, while the visitors move three points clear of third-placed Celtic who drew 0-0 with Hibernian.

Davis was the first player on the scoresheet and could well have been the last, but he shot wide in the final move of the match.

Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (6)

Inverness CT

  • 01 Esson
  • 03 Tokely
  • 05 Hogg Dismissed
  • 22 Gillet
  • 26 Meekings Booked (Golobart - 56' )
  • 08 Tansey
  • 10 Shinnie (Piermayr - 85' )
  • 25 Davis
  • 09 Foran
  • 15 Tade (Hayes - 71' Booked )
  • 18 Sutherland

Substitutes

  • 12 Tuffey
  • 16 Golobart
  • 19 Shinnie
  • 02 Piermayr
  • 06 Cox
  • 07 Hayes
  • 20 Chippendale

Motherwell

  • 01 Randolph Booked
  • 03 Hammell (Forbes - 28' Booked )
  • 05 Craigan
  • 15 Hutchinson
  • 22 Clancy
  • 04 Law
  • 06 Hateley
  • 07 Humphrey (Daley - 64' )
  • 14 Lasley
  • 09 Higdon
  • 11 Murphy Booked

Substitutes

  • 31 Bradley
  • 20 Page
  • 23 Halsman
  • 17 Daley
  • 26 Carswell
  • 18 Forbes (Carswell - 80' )
  • 19 Smith
Ref: Allan
Att: 3,188

Match Stats

Shots

12 5

On target

7 3

Corners

6 4

Fouls

11 10

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:09 Full time

Full Time The referee signals the end of the game.

90:00 +2:51

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

90:00 +2:33

Shot by David Davis (Inverness CT) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left.

90:00 +1:27

Defending throw-in by Thomas Piermayr (Inverness CT).

90:00 +1:22

Goal kick taken long by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).

90:00 +1:10

Shot by Michael Higdon (Motherwell) left-footed from centre of penalty area (6 yards), missed left.

90:00 +0:44

Michael Higdon (Motherwell) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT) from own half, resulting in open play.

90:00 +0:13

Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

89:12

Attacking throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

88:29

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

88:04

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

87:17

Attacking throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

86:11 Goal scored

Goal - Tom Hateley - Inverness 2 - 3 Motherwell Free kick scored by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) right-footed (top-left of goal) from right channel (25 yards).Inverness CT 2-3 Motherwell.

85:00 Booking

Booking Johnny Hayes (Inverness CT) booked for unsporting behaviour.

84:53 Substitution

Substitution Inverness CT substitution: Andrew Shinnie replaced by Thomas Piermayr (tactical).

82:59 Dismissal

Dismissal Chris Hogg (Inverness CT) dismissed for professional foul.

82:43

Foul by Chris Hogg (Inverness CT) on Jamie Murphy (Motherwell).

81:54

Michael Higdon (Motherwell) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT) from own half, resulting in open play.

80:57

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

80:45

Shot by Johnny Hayes (Inverness CT) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left.

80:34

Attacking throw-in by Richie Foran (Inverness CT).

79:46

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

79:46 Substitution

Substitution Motherwell substitution: Ross Forbes replaced by Stewart Carswell (tactical).

78:46

Foul by Stephen Craigan (Motherwell) on Richie Foran (Inverness CT). Free kick crossed right-footed by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) from left wing, clearance by Stephen Craigan (Motherwell). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) to out of play, resulting in ball out of play.

78:42

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

77:57

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

76:52 Goal scored

Goal - Keith Lasley - Inverness 2 - 2 Motherwell Goal by Keith Lasley (Motherwell) right-footed (top-left of goal) from left channel (25 yards).Inverness CT 2-2 Motherwell.

75:20

Assist (cross) by Johnny Hayes (Inverness CT) from left channel.

75:20 Goal scored

Goal - Andrew Shinnie - Inverness 2 - 1 Motherwell Goal by Andrew Shinnie (Inverness CT) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from left side of penalty area (12 yards).Inverness CT 2-1 Motherwell.

74:48

Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

74:13

Foul by Johnny Hayes (Inverness CT) on Tim Clancy (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

73:52

Foul by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) on Richie Foran (Inverness CT). Free kick taken left-footed by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT) from left wing, passed.

73:29

Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

73:04

Foul by Michael Higdon (Motherwell) on David Davis (Inverness CT). Free kick taken right-footed by Richie Foran (Inverness CT) from own half, resulting in open play.

72:38

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

71:47

Goal kick taken long by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).

71:16

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) to far post, resulting in open play.

70:20

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

70:20 Substitution

Substitution Inverness CT substitution: Gregory Tade replaced by Johnny Hayes (tactical).

68:58

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) to centre, shot by Gregory Tade (Inverness CT) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

68:25

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

67:37

Attacking throw-in by Ross Tokely (Inverness CT).

67:02

Foul by Gregory Tade (Inverness CT) on Stephen Craigan (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Stephen Craigan (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

66:36

Goal kick taken long by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).

66:01

Defending throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

65:38

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

65:24

Shot by David Davis (Inverness CT) right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.

64:31

Omar Daley (Motherwell) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT) from own half, resulting in open play.

63:04

Attacking throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

63:04 Substitution

Substitution Motherwell substitution: Chris Humphrey replaced by Omar Daley (tactical).

62:44

Shot by Andrew Shinnie (Inverness CT) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

61:48

Foul by Keith Lasley (Motherwell) on David Davis (Inverness CT). Free kick taken right-footed by Roman Golobart (Inverness CT) from own half, resulting in open play.

60:41

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

60:13

Attacking throw-in by Ross Tokely (Inverness CT).

58:16

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

57:24

Foul by Ross Forbes (Motherwell) on Shane Sutherland (Inverness CT). Free kick taken right-footed by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) from right channel, passed.

57:24 Booking

Booking Ross Forbes (Motherwell) booked for persistent infringement.

57:06

Handball by Ross Forbes (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by David Davis (Inverness CT) from own half, passed.

56:21

Foul by Gregory Tade (Inverness CT) on Shaun Hutchinson (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) from own half, passed.

56:11

Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

55:42 Substitution

Substitution Inverness CT substitution: Josh Meekings replaced by Roman Golobart (tactical).

55:26

Defending throw-in by David Davis (Inverness CT).

55:11

Defending throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

54:52

Shot by Gregory Tade (Inverness CT) right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards),

54:33

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

54:08

Goal kick taken short by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).

53:04

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

52:47

Shot by Shane Sutherland (Inverness CT) left-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), over the bar.

51:44

Foul by Tim Clancy (Motherwell) on Shane Sutherland (Inverness CT). Free kick taken right-footed by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) from right channel, passed.

51:31

Attacking throw-in by Josh Meekings (Inverness CT).

50:42

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) to near post, clearance by Stephen Craigan (Motherwell).

50:07

Attacking throw-in by Josh Meekings (Inverness CT).

48:09

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) to near post, clearance by Richie Foran (Inverness CT).

47:39

Defending throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

47:04

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) to centre, clearance by Stephen Craigan (Motherwell).

45:50

Defending throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

45:37

Attacking throw-in by Josh Meekings (Inverness CT).

45:16

Foul by Gregory Tade (Inverness CT) on Chris Humphrey (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Chris Humphrey (Motherwell) from own half, passed.

45:01

The match restarts for the second half.

45:00 +3:05 Half time

Half Time The half-time whistle blows.

45:00 +2:42

Defending throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

45:00 +2:13

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

45:00 +1:31

Goal kick taken long by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).

45:00 +1:15

Shot by Jamie Murphy (Motherwell) left-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), missed left.

44:47

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

44:24

Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

44:15

Goal kick taken long by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).

42:40

Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

41:41

Attacking throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

40:38

Foul by Chris Humphrey (Motherwell) on David Davis (Inverness CT). Free kick taken right-footed by Chris Hogg (Inverness CT) from own half, resulting in open play.

40:22

Defending throw-in by Josh Meekings (Inverness CT).

39:51

Foul by Gregory Tade (Inverness CT) on Darren Randolph (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

38:18

Assist (cross) by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) from right wing.

38:18 Goal scored

Goal - Shaun Hutchinson - Inverness 1 - 1 Motherwell Headed goal by Shaun Hutchinson (Motherwell) (bottom-right of goal) from left side of penalty area (6 yards).Inverness CT 1-1 Motherwell.

37:47

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) to centre, clearance by Ross Tokely (Inverness CT).

35:57

Foul by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) on David Davis (Inverness CT). Free kick crossed right-footed by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) from left wing, save (caught) by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

35:30

Defending throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

34:58

Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

34:49

Attacking throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

34:29

Goal kick taken long by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).

34:13

Goal kick taken long by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

32:00

Inswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) to centre, clearance by Shaun Hutchinson (Motherwell). Defending throw-in by Tom Hateley (Motherwell).

31:40

Shot by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

31:07

Foul by Richie Foran (Inverness CT) on Keith Lasley (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

30:10

Shot by Andrew Shinnie (Inverness CT) right-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

29:13

Attacking throw-in by Josh Meekings (Inverness CT).

28:31

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

24:32 Booking

Booking Josh Meekings is cautioned.

27:17

Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

27:17 Substitution

Substitution Motherwell substitution: Stevie Hammell replaced by Ross Forbes (injury).

27:09

Foul by Josh Meekings (Inverness CT) on Stevie Hammell (Motherwell).

25:00 Booking

Booking Darren Randolph (Motherwell) booked for unsporting behaviour.

21:53 Booking

Booking Jamie Murphy booked for unsporting behaviour.

24:32 Booking

Booking Josh Meekings (Inverness CT) booked for persistent infringement.

23:10

Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

21:53 Booking

Booking Jamie Murphy (Motherwell) booked for unsporting behaviour.

20:48

Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

20:23

Attacking throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

18:55

Gregory Tade (Inverness CT) caught offside. Free kick taken right-footed by Darren Randolph (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

18:23

Shot by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Darren Randolph (Motherwell).

15:57

Defending throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

13:50

Attacking throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

13:22

Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

12:54

Handball by Chris Humphrey (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT) from left wing, passed.

12:46

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

12:16

Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

11:35

Defending throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

11:03

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

10:48

Foul by Michael Higdon (Motherwell) on Chris Hogg (Inverness CT). Free kick taken left-footed by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT) from own half, resulting in open play.

10:11

Foul by Shane Sutherland (Inverness CT) on Stevie Hammell (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Stephen Craigan (Motherwell) from own half, resulting in open play.

9:35

Attacking throw-in by Keith Lasley (Motherwell).

8:47

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

8:01

Foul by David Davis (Inverness CT) on Keith Lasley (Motherwell). Free kick crossed left-footed by Stevie Hammell (Motherwell) from right wing, save (caught) by Ryan Esson (Inverness CT).

7:03

Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Tom Hateley (Motherwell) to far post, resulting in open play. Attacking throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

6:25

Attacking throw-in by Keith Lasley (Motherwell).

5:59

Defending throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

5:24

Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) to far post, resulting in open play.

5:01

Attacking throw-in by Josh Meekings (Inverness CT).

4:35

Defending throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

4:21

Attacking throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

3:58

Attacking throw-in by Richie Foran (Inverness CT).

3:02 Goal scored

Goal - David Davis - Inverness 1 - 0 Motherwell Goal by David Davis (Inverness CT) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from left channel (25 yards).Inverness CT 1-0 Motherwell.

2:31

Foul by Tim Clancy (Motherwell) on Gregory Tade (Inverness CT). Free kick crossed right-footed by Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) from left by-line, resulting in open play.

1:09

Foul by David Davis (Inverness CT) on Keith Lasley (Motherwell). Free kick taken right-footed by Shaun Hutchinson (Motherwell) from right channel, passed.

0:46

Defending throw-in by Tim Clancy (Motherwell).

0:10

Defending throw-in by Kenny Gillet (Inverness CT).

0:00

The game gets underway.

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