Aberdeen cemented their position as likely runners-up in the Premiership with an emphatic win over their nearest rivals, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, now 11 points adrift in third spot.

 

Ash Taylor's goal, two minutes after the break, was enough to give the Dons the points in a game they dominated. Indeed, they might have had two or three other goals had their finishing been better, though Derek McInnes, their manager, expressed his pleasure at his side's application.

"It was very clear from the start how important those three points were going to be for us," he said, "and it was equally pleasing to get back to winning ways and to achieve another clean sheet.

"We never allowed Inverness to get going. It was a significant result for us in terms of finishing second but it is important we go right to the end of the season and to keep trying to maximise what we've got."

If the home supporters needed a sign that McInnes was displeased with his side's inept performance in last Saturday's goalless draw it came with the announcement of his line-up which saw four changes as goalkeeper Jamie Langfield, Kenny McLean, their £300,000 signing from St Mirren in January, and striker Lawrence Shankland were dropped while Ryan Jack withdrew because of a foot injury. This allowed the Dons manager to bring in Scott Brown in goal and offer starts to Barry Robson, Niall McGinn and Peter Pawlett while Inverness, seeking their first League win since Valentines Day - they've picked-up only five points from a possible 15 - introduced Danny Williams in midfield for Ryan Christie.

But it was the early aggression of the Red that almost brought them reward as they penetrated the visitors' hesitant defence with a series of attacks. Adam Rooney, facing one of his former clubs, saw his header scrambled out for a corner-kick after 10 minutes before McGinn's delightful chip from 22 yards almost caught Ryan Esson unawares as the Caley Thistle goalkeeper stood well off his line and relieved that the ball slipped past his post.

The 26th minute scare for the Highlanders when Esson was beaten by Rooney to a loose ball wide in the penalty area would have seen Aberdeen take the lead as the striker's prodded effort headed for goal until Josh Meekings intervened to clear the ball off the line.

The directness of the Dons play was always evident, though Inverness adopted a calmer approach, deploying some attractive football but without troubling Brown, aside from the occasional set-piece which forced the home goalkeeper to punch balls clear.

The same could not be said for his counterpart at the other end of the pitch as he failed to find Barry Robson's corner-kick for the Reds and, with the ball appearing to be heading into the far corner of the net, Ash Taylor ensured it did go into the visitors' net as he bowed to head past Esson.

The Pittodrie outfit's determination brought the goal they wanted and deserved as they re-started the game in passionate style. Robson's corner-kick from the left two minutes after the break curled-in towards the Inverness goal and appeared to be heading for the net, but Ash Taylor bowed low to connect with his head to ensure that Esson was, indeed, beaten.

The Dons centre-back almost took on the villain's role soon after, however, as he gave the ball away to Aaron Doran, whose stinging strike from 22 yards was blocked by the legs of Brown.

But there was no denying the determination of Aberdeen. Thy made it clear they would not be content with only one goal and they made life extremely uncomfortable for Esson and his defenders.

As Caley Thistle introduced target man Edward Ofere for Nick Ross midway through the second half as they attempted to use the Nigerian's height against Taylor, McLean replaced Pawlett soon after for Aberdeen and picked-up the already impressive tempo in search of a second goal.

And it almost came from the unlikely Shay Logan, the little full-back in the penalty box attempting to capitalise on the frailties of the visitors in defence.

As Inverness struggled to clear McLean's long-range strike, Logan hit a thunderous shot off the bar as Esson looked lost and his colleagues in disarray.

It was indicative of the evolution of this game. McInnes's men, lifted by McLean's presence in midfield, looked considerably more hungry than their opponents, still stuck in a rut from which there appears no remedy.

John Hughes, the Caley Thistle manager, agreed that Aberdeen deserved the points, but he continued to talk-up his side, despite their poor results of late.

"We faced a good team," he said, "but I felt we could have passed the ball better than we did. We're working on the lowest budget and all credit to my players for what they have done this season. We need to go and grab that Europa League spot by finishing third."