Terry Butcher hailed the commitment of his Inverness players as they ended a run of 11 games without a league victory by beating St Johnstone 2-0.
In a game pockmarked by misplaced passes and fierce challenges, Inverness were the more clinical in front of goal with goals from Ross Tokely and Russell Duncan settling a physical and hard-fought encounter.
"I was really pleased with the performance," said the former England captain. "It really showed the guts of the team."
He added: "It was not the prettiest of games and while St Johnstone probably had more possession than us, we got the goals at the right times.
"The work rate and commitment were excellent. We perhaps didn't play the type of football we normally like to play, but we held on strongly.
"Because we had not won in a while, at 1-0 in front you want to protect it, but we managed to get that second goal, as well as a clean sheet, so it's happy days as far as I'm concerned."
St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes was left to rue the concession of two poor goals in a game where clear-cut chances for either side were few and far between.
"We started the game pretty well and in the opening period had three or four attempts, which I was pleased about, but then Inverness scored," McInnes said. "It was a free header in the box and I'm really disappointed at that.
"Their second came from us giving them possession too easily at a throw-in that ultimately led to a tap-in in the middle of the goal.
"When you lose two goals of that nature then normally you lose the game and Inverness deserved the win."
Source: PA
