Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee branded captain Zander Diamond's mistake against Inverness as "shocking" after the Dons went down 2-0 at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.
The defender's audacious clearance attempt was pounced on by Caley Thistle's Adam Rooney, who chipped goalkeeper Mark Howard to secure a 2-0 win against 10 men just after the hour mark. Fellow Irishman Jonny Hayes had put Inverness ahead in the 18th minutes when his shot-cum-cross floated over Howard into the net.
"I'm disappointed with the circumstances that we lost the game, especially the second goal," said McGhee. "The first goal was a bit flukey - it wasn't a shot, it was a cross. Our response to that wasn't great. The second goal is indecision from Zander. It was shocking and it resulted in them scoring an unnecessary goal."
McGhee was also unhappy with referee Calum Murray, who sent off substitute Michael Paton for a foul on Hayes after 66 minutes.
"I thought it was a shame because I thought the referee got it just totally wrong. Michael is not the sort of lad that is going to stamp on anyone and if he did tread on the boy it was accidental."
In contrast, Caley Thistle manager Terry Butcher was pleased with the way his players went about their task of clinching a first SPL home league win against the Dons at the ninth attempt.
"I was delighted with the performance and felt that we controlled the game," he said.
"At half-time I said to the players that if they are more aggressive in terms of putting Aberdeen under pressure when they had the ball then we would win the game.
"In terms of our two goals we didn't create them all ourselves because, even though Jonny Hayes will tell you he meant the opening goal, it was fortunate.
"For the second, Adam Rooney has simply chased a lost cause and he was rewarded for it."
Source: PA
