The Spiders made one change to their starting line-up with Jake Davidson coming in for a midfield role in place of Jack Thomson who looked to have picked up a knock against Cove Rangers eight days ago.

Queen’s skipper Tommy Robson was presented with a commemorative jersey to mark his recent achievement of playing one hundred games for the club and the defender was quickly involved when the game kicked-off as Caley forced a corner off the defender.

The danger was cleared however a minute later a drive from Jay Henderson earned the visitors a second flag-kick as it deflected off Eze with this one mopped up and cleared by the home side’s number 66.

Daniel Devine was penalised for handball on the right of his own box on 7 minutes and Dom Thomas flighted the dead ball over.

Eze met it with a header that clattered against a post before being scrambled past for a corner that was again met by the Nigerian internationalist with this attempt climbing over.

Calum Ferrie was called into action on ten minutes to grasp a header from Wallace Duffy with the shot-stopper excelling two minutes later when Daniel Mackay was sent clear on goal by Nathan Shaw.

The Highland winger stumbled as he bore down on goal however he regained his composure and looked set to slip the ball into the net until a dashing Ferrie spread himself to save with his legs.

With 20 minutes gone a training ground free-kick routine was inches away from creating danger as Thomas slipped a pass to Robson with his chip to the back post just missing the unmarked Eze.

Three minutes later only a goalline clearance from Robbie Deas prevented a Euan Henderson shot from sneaking in and Queen’s were hit with a sucker punch shortly afterwards.

Caley opened the scoring on 27 minutes after a forward ball came off the back of Billy McKay and rolled into the path of Mackay who curled home a fine curling shot from 24 yards.

On 33 minutes a fine period of possession from the hosts created on opening for Malachi Boateng with his well-struck shot flicking off a Caley man before going out for a corner that Fox headed wide.

A lightning break from Inverness handed Mackay another shooting chance nine minutes from the break with Ferrie diving down to smother this effort.

Another long period of possession from the Spiders created a glimpse of goal for Boateng with his fierce drive charged down with the on-loan Crystal Palace midfielder picking up a knock after making a strong challenge to recover the ball and win a corner.

Longridge came on to replace Boateng before Shields was crowded out at the corner with the visitors still in front at the break.

Owen Coyle was out early for the second half with the Head Coach hoping that his half-time chat would bring his side back into the game.

Henderson had an early drive forward blocked and Thomas met the same fate before a 50 yard run by Davidson created danger only for his through ball to Shields catching the striker offside.

Davidson surged forward again on 52 minutes but he was unable to prise open the visiting defence however his endeavours were bringing the crowd to life.

There were further cheers a minute later as Henderson let fly from 20 yards with Ridgers making a smart stop.

Thomas won a corner on 55 minutes with Patrick Jarrett coming on for Marcel Oakley before the dead ball picked out Charlie Fox who nodded wide.

A deep Henderson free-kick caused danger in the home defence as McKay headed downwards with Shields having to swipe clear for a corner that Ferrie stretched to claim.

On the hour mark a curling free-kick from Thomas picked out Eze with Ridgers carefully watching the defender’s header as it flashed over.

Three minutes later Jarrett helped set-up an equaliser when he charged forward and slipped a pass to Shields on the left and his dinked cross was perfect for SAVOURY to deftly head home.

McKay headed just wide as Inverness looked to retake the lead instantly with Shields replying at the other end with a shot that fizzed wide.

Thomas had a shot deflected past with 20 minutes left and from the resultant corner Queen’s moved into the lead.
The wide-man floated a delightful ball to the penalty spot where EZE used his full six-foot six-inch frame to rise and send a powerful header scorching past Ridgers.

Deas gave the Spiders a reminder of how slender their lead was as he headed wide after slipping his marker at a free-kick.

Thomas turned defence into attack with a pass to Shields on 79 minutes with the on-loan Motherwell man seeing his low drive flicked past for a corner.

Shields was denied by Ridgers as Queen’s looked for a clincher with Wallace Duffy nodding over as Inverness threatened an injury time leveller.

Deep into injury time substitute Aaron Healy almost wriggled his way to a goal before Ferrie ensured the three points by clutching a late effort from Austin Samuels.

Queen’s Park: Calum Ferrie, Marcel Oakley (Patrick Jarrett 55’), Stephen Eze, Charlie Fox, Tommy Robson, Jake Davidson, Malachi Boateng (Louis Longridge 44’), Dom Thomas, Grant Savoury, Euan Henderson (Aaron Healy 75), Connor Shields.

Subs not used: Jacques Heraghty (G/k), Josh McPake, Cameron Bruce, Calum Biggar, Scott Williamson, , Alex Bannon.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle: Mark Ridgers, Wallace Duffy, Cameron Harper, Robbie Deas, Danny Devine, David Carson, Billy McKay, Daniel Mackay (Roddy MacGregor 61’), Scott Allardice (Austin Samuels 71), Jay Henderson, Nathan Shaw.

Subs not used: Cameron Mackay (G/k), Aaron Doran, , Lewis Hyde, Zak Delaney, Ben Woods, Steven Boyd.

Referee: Alan Muir