Dundee United battled back from two goals down to beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Highlands.

Jonny Hayes fired Inverness ahead early on and then set up Billy McKay for the hosts' second just after the break.

Substitute Johnny Russell pulled one back for United and Roman Golobart's own goal levelled the scores.

Russell netted his second to put the Tangerines ahead for the first time and Inverness had David Davis sent off before the end.

United's victory moves Peter Houston's side up to seventh in the Scottish Premier League, while Inverness stay ninth, a point above three teams sharing bottom spot.

The game was barely 75 seconds old by the time Hayes beat goalkeeper Dusan Pernis, the winger converting from a Davis centre after United's Robbie Neilson had failed to clear his lines.

It was a bright start by Terry Butcher's side and sloppiness in possession from the visitors afforded Hayes another chance to advance, but the winger elected to pass when a shot might have been a better option.

However, Caley Thistle's rhythm was interrupted when Chris Hogg came off worse in a challenge involving team-mate Davis and the Tangerines' Gary Mackay-Steven.

Davis was booked for his tackle on Mackay-Steven and Hogg was stretchered off to be replaced with Lee Cox.

Dundee United striker Johnny Russell

Russell's introduction changed the match for Dundee United

United came close to an equaliser when captain Jon Daly rose unchallenged to meet Mackay-Steven's corner, but the striker's effort was too high.

Another mistake by Neilson gave McKay a chance to shoot and Pernis did superbly to touch the ball round the post.

But McKay was not to be denied at the start of the second half, rising to head Hayes' corner into the net.

Houston decided to take aciton by sending on Russell in place of Willo Flood and the striker made an instant impact, with the help of Stuart Armstrong.

Armstrong's impressive run created the space and chance for Russell to fire home and suddenly United's deficit was halved.

Inverness tried to re-assert themselves and Richie Foran's powerful strike was just wide.

A defensive mix-up handed the Tangerines their equaliser as Golobart intervened when the ball seemed to be heading back towards Ryan Esson and the ball evaded the goalkeeper and rolled into the net.

Golobart almost atoned for his own goal, rising to meet Hayes' free-kick and heading inches past the post.

It was Dundee United who scored the decisive next goal as Mackay-Steven played in Russell on the edge of the box and the substitute finished well past Esson.

Things went from bad to worse for Inverness as Davis picked up a second booking for another foul on Mackay-Steven, meaning Butcher's side had to play the final eight minutes with 10 men.

And the home side could not find a way back into the match.

Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (4)

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

  • 01 Esson
  • 03 Tokely
  • 05 Hogg (Cox - 15' )
  • 16 Golobart
  • 22 Gillet Booked
  • 07 Hayes
  • 08 Tansey
  • 10 Shinnie (Ross - 67' )
  • 25 Davis Dismissed after an earlier booking
  • 09 Foran
  • 21 McKay (Tade - 73' )

Substitutes

  • 12 Tuffey
  • 19 Shinnie
  • 06 Cox
  • 11 Ross
  • 17 Morrison
  • 15 Tade
  • 18 Sutherland

Dundee United

  • 01 Pernis
  • 02 Dillon Booked
  • 03 Dixon
  • 18 Gunning
  • 26 Neilson
  • 06 Flood (Russell - 49' )
  • 08 Robertson
  • 11 Rankin
  • 16 Armstrong
  • 17 Mackay-Steven Booked
  • 09 Daly

Substitutes

  • 13 Banks
  • 05 Kenneth
  • 12 Watson
  • 14 Douglas
  • 15 Russell
  • 19 Dalla Valle
  • 22 Dow
Ref: Mclean
Att: 3,142

Match Stats

Shots

7 4

On target

4 2

Corners

4 10

Fouls

17 14

Live Text Commentary

92:08

The referee blows his whistle to end the game.

86:52

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Roman Golobart by Gary Mackay-Steven. Ryan Esson takes the direct free kick.

86:18

The assistant referee signals for offside against Gary Mackay-Steven. Ryan Esson takes the free kick.

79:49

Paul Dixon takes the free kick. Corner taken left-footed by Gary Mackay-Steven from the right by-line, Kenny Gillet fouled by Jon Daly, the ref awards a free kick. Ryan Esson restarts play with the free kick.

79:49 Booking

Booking Caution for Kenny Gillet.

79:38

Kenny Gillet challenges Stuart Armstrong unfairly and gives away a free kick.

84:31

Corner taken left-footed by Gary Mackay-Steven, Johnny Russell produces a right-footed shot from inside the area that clears the bar.

84:07

Gregory Tade challenges Scott Robertson unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Sean Dillon.

83:21

The referee blows for offside. Dusan Pernis restarts play with the free kick.

82:12

Paul Dixon takes the direct free kick.

82:12 Dismissal

Dismissal David Davis shown a red card.

81:58

David Davis gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven.

79:49

Paul Dixon restarts play with the free kick. Corner taken by Gary Mackay-Steven, free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kenny Gillet by Jon Daly. Ryan Esson takes the direct free kick.

79:49 Booking

Booking Caution for Richie Foran.

79:38

Unfair challenge on Stuart Armstrong by Richie Foran results in a free kick.

78:56

Gregory Tade gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sean Dillon. Free kick taken by Dusan Pernis.

77:20

Assist by Gary Mackay-Steven.

77:20 Goal scored

Goal - Johnny Russell - Inverness 2 - 3 Dundee U Johnny Russell gets on the score sheet with a goal from just outside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Inverness CT 2-3 Dundee Utd.

76:09

Greg Tansey concedes a free kick for a foul on Stuart Armstrong. Paul Dixon restarts play with the free kick.

72:47 Substitution

Substitution Billy McKay goes off and Gregory Tade comes on.

71:32

Corner taken left-footed by Gary Mackay-Steven from the right by-line to the near post, Nick Ross makes a clearance.

69:10

Outswinging corner taken by Gary Mackay-Steven.

68:38

Foul by Richie Foran on Robbie Neilson, free kick awarded. Sean Dillon takes the direct free kick.

68:00

Headed effort from deep inside the area by Roman Golobart misses to the left of the goal.

67:38

Robbie Neilson challenges Richie Foran unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Johnny Hayes.

66:49

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Johnny Hayes by Paul Dixon. Johnny Hayes restarts play with the free kick.

66:01 Substitution

Substitution Nick Ross replaces Andrew Shinnie.

65:05

Inswinging corner taken by Paul Dixon from the left by-line. Corner taken by Gary Mackay-Steven from the right by-line, Ross Tokely makes a clearance.

63:21 Goal scored

Goal - Roman Golobart - Inverness 2 - 2 Dundee U Roman Golobart puts the ball into his own goal. Inverness CT 2-2 Dundee Utd.

62:52

Johnny Hayes takes a shot. Save made by Dusan Pernis.

61:12

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stuart Armstrong by Greg Tansey. Gavin Gunning restarts play with the free kick.

60:16

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Scott Robertson by Andrew Shinnie. Sean Dillon restarts play with the free kick.

58:04

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Kenny Gillet by Scott Robertson. Direct free kick taken by Ryan Esson.

56:17

Richie Foran has a shot and went wide left of the goal.

55:36

The official flags Gary Mackay-Steven offside. Ryan Esson takes the direct free kick.

54:06

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Billy McKay by Sean Dillon.

53:36

Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Greg Tansey.

53:36 Booking

Booking Sean Dillon goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.

52:56

David Davis concedes a free kick for a foul on Robbie Neilson. Direct free kick taken by Robbie Neilson.

52:37

Corner taken left-footed by Gary Mackay-Steven from the left by-line to the near post, Roman Golobart makes a clearance.

51:14

The assistant referee flags for offside against Johnny Hayes. Direct free kick taken by Dusan Pernis.

50:08

The assist for the goal came from Stuart Armstrong.

50:08 Goal scored

Goal - Johnny Russell - Inverness 2 - 1 Dundee U Johnny Russell fires in a goal from inside the box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Inverness CT 2-1 Dundee Utd.

48:51 Substitution

Substitution Willo Flood leaves the field to be replaced by Johnny Russell.

46:43

Assist by Johnny Hayes.

46:43 Goal scored

Goal - Billy McKay - Inverness 2 - 0 Dundee U Billy McKay finds the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Inverness CT 2-0 Dundee Utd.

45:01

The second half begins.

45:00 +3:09

The referee blows for half time.

45:00 +1:16

Johnny Hayes decides to take the corner short. Short corner worked by Johnny Hayes.

45:00 +0:48

Foul by Robbie Neilson on Andrew Shinnie, free kick awarded. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Greg Tansey, Sean Dillon makes a clearance.

44:34

Robbie Neilson concedes a free kick for a foul on Richie Foran. Johnny Hayes delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, Robbie Neilson makes a clearance.

43:26

Billy McKay takes a shot. Dusan Pernis makes a save. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Johnny Hayes from the right by-line, clearance made by Robbie Neilson.

42:57

The offside flag is raised against Jon Daly. Free kick taken by Roman Golobart.

40:18

Free kick awarded for a foul by Kenny Gillet on Scott Robertson. Direct free kick taken by Paul Dixon.

38:20

Free kick awarded for a foul by Gary Mackay-Steven on Lee Cox. Johnny Hayes takes the free kick.

36:40

Jon Daly concedes a free kick for a foul on Roman Golobart. Kenny Gillet takes the direct free kick.

34:35

Ryan Esson takes the free kick.

34:35 Booking

Booking Gary Mackay-Steven shown a yellow card.

34:19

The referee blows for offside.

33:53

Free kick awarded for a foul by Richie Foran on Willo Flood. John Rankin restarts play with the free kick.

32:46

Unfair challenge on Stuart Armstrong by Kenny Gillet results in a free kick. John Rankin takes the direct free kick.

31:43

Roman Golobart challenges Jon Daly unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sean Dillon restarts play with the free kick.

30:01

Gary Mackay-Steven takes the outswinging corner, Jon Daly gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Roman Golobart. Free kick taken by Ryan Esson.

26:19

Gary Mackay-Steven takes a outswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, Header from deep inside the area by Jon Daly goes harmlessly over the crossbar.

27:46

Outswinging corner taken by Gary Mackay-Steven from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by Roman Golobart.

26:19

Corner taken left-footed by Gary Mackay-Steven from the left by-line, Header on goal by Jon Daly from inside the box goes harmlessly over the target.

25:44

Lee Cox challenges Willo Flood unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sean Dillon takes the direct free kick.

23:49

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Richie Foran by Willo Flood. Direct free kick taken by Johnny Hayes.

22:29

Robbie Neilson challenges Kenny Gillet unfairly and gives away a free kick. Ryan Esson restarts play with the free kick.

19:40

The referee blows for offside against Kenny Gillet. Dusan Pernis restarts play with the free kick.

17:51

Jon Daly gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Kenny Gillet. Richie Foran takes the free kick.

13:16

David Davis challenges John Rankin unfairly and gives away a free kick.

13:09

Free kick taken by Willo Flood.

13:09 Substitution

Substitution Lee Cox replaces Chris Hogg.

13:09 Booking

Booking The referee books David Davis for unsporting behaviour.

12:13

Johnny Hayes decides to take a short corner.

9:19

Jon Daly is ruled offside. Ryan Esson takes the direct free kick.

6:27

Free kick awarded for a foul by Roman Golobart on Stuart Armstrong. Willo Flood takes the direct free kick.

1:12

Assist on the goal came from David Davis.

1:12 Goal scored

Goal - Johnny Hayes - Inverness 1 - 0 Dundee U A goal is scored by Johnny Hayes from inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Inverness CT 1-0 Dundee Utd.

0:12

Free kick awarded for a foul by Greg Tansey on John Rankin. Direct free kick taken by Dusan Pernis.

0:00

The referee starts the match.

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