Inverness manager Terry Butcher made one change from the team that drew in Dundee at the weekend, David Proctor coming in for Nauris Bulvitis to play at right back with Ross Tokely deployed in central defence.

It was the hosts who created the first chance of the game, but Eric Odhiambo's goalbound shot was deflected away to safety by Marvin Andrews.

Queen of the South then spurned a wonderful chance to break the deadlock when David Weatherston sent Stewart Kean through on goal only for the onrushing Ryan Esson to make a timely block on the edge of his own box.

Rooney has been in prolific form for Caley Thistle and he worked himself a decent opportunity from Richie Foran's pass, but he curled his effort a yard over the crossbar.

The visitors were posing a threat themselves in the final third and a wonderful inswinging free-kick by Bob Harris caused confusion in the hosts defence only for the ball to creep narrowly wide of the upright.

A Foran shot that flew a yard wide and a weak header from Rooney threatened to break the deadlock before the latter finally achieved that three minutes before the interval.

Lee Cox sent in a cross that Foran diverted into the path of Rooney and he rifled the ball home from close range for his 15th goal of the campaign.

The Irish striker did not have too long to wait for his second. With only seven minutes of the second half gone, Jonny Hayes headed the ball through for Rooney and he unleashed a shot from 18 yards that found its way into the back of the net via a slight deflection off the boot of Craig Reid.

Queens had rarely threatened, but they were given a lifeline in the 61st minute when Grant Munro was adjudged to have fouled Weatherston inside the box. Derek Holmes took responsibility for the spot-kick and promptly sent Esson the wrong way.

Caley Thistle, however, were awarded a penalty of their own in the 75th minute as Foran was clearly tugged back inside the box by Neil Scally. Rooney stepped up and sent a low drive into the corner to complete his hat-trick and move Inverness up to second in the table.

CALEY THISTLE — Esson; Tokely, Proctor, Munro, Golabek, Cox, Odhiambo (Sanchez, 85), Duncan, Foran (Eagle, 90), Rooney, Hayes. Subs unused: Bulvitis, Ross, Allison.

QUEEN OF THE SOUTH — Hutton; McMillan (Quinn, 49), Harris, Scally, Andrews, Reid, Burns, McKenna, Holmes, Kean (McLaren, 53), Weatherston (Knight, 76). Subs unused: Hammill, Fox.

Attendance: 3003.

Referee: C. Allan.

sports@inverness-courier.co.uk

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