Manager Craig Brown praised his young Aberdeen side for their resolve following a 2-0 victory over Caley Thistle in the Highland Capital.
Two own goals - the first by Roman Golobart 48 seconds into the second half and then from Kenny Gillet a minute from the end - meant that all three points headed back to the Granite City.
Dons boss Brown conceded that it was not a vintage peformance by Aberdeen, but with a mounting injury list, he was just delighted to see an inexperienced team claim a hard-earned triumph.
He said: "I think you have to compliment both sides because we each had eight players under the age of 21.
"I've seen better games of football and we were fortunate to score through two own goals.
"However, it gave us the chance to bring 16-year-old Cammy Smith on, which was great, while Fraser Fyvie is learning and improving all the time.
"I know Inverness had three suspended, but we had nine out injured at what is a very difficult place to come to, so it was pleasing to get the result, especially with so many young players on the pitch."
The defeat for Caley Thistle made it three months without a success at home and was their ninth loss at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium this season.
Inverness fans let their feelings be known at the end by booing off their team and manager Terry Butcher could fully understand their frustrations.
He said: "We dominated periods of possession and looked a threat, although we didn't create any clear-cut chances - more half chances than anything else.
"We've not done enough to win the game and that's disappointing.
"The fans were booing us at the end and quite rightly. If I had of paid to watch that then I would have done exactly the same."
