Inverness CT 3-0 Gretna

Jan 6 2008 Alasdair Fraser At Caledonian Stadium

RICHARD HASTINGS reckons Marius Niculae is on the fast-track to hero status at Caley after he racked up his fourth double for the club. Romanian Niculae struck either side of John Rankin's first-half penalty to help his side sweep past the bottom dogs.

His brace earned Caley a record-equalling fifth win on the spin at home and takes their run this season to an impressive seven victories in nine at the Caledonian Stadium.

It all adds up to a feelgood factor at Inverness and defender Hastings knows former Sporting Lisbon hitman Niculae is playing a huge part in their recent success.

He said: "Marius deserved man of the match and if he keeps contributing like that he is going to be quite a player for us.

"Every time he scores he seems to score twice. And although he was taken off without getting the chance to get his hat-trick he didn't seem too fussed. He's that kind of guy - really laid back - and I think he was just happy with his performance."

Hastings tormented Gretna from full-back and the Canadian international is loving every minute of Caley's hot streak.

He said: "Five wins in a row up here is the form we need. It's a good record and one we want to preserve for as long as we can.

"In the past it has tended to be good away and bad at home or vice-versa, so seven wins from nine is the kind of consistency we are striving for.

"I'm not setting targets. You can't look too far ahead in this league. A few wins and you can really climb but a few defeats can reverse it."

Gretna had battled through snow on Friday night to reach Inverness and they found little warmth yesterday.

They recalled Craig Barr, Collin Aurelien, Chris Innes and Henry Makinwa.

But it was the return of Dennis Wyness for Inverness-back from a hamstring injury for his first start since November - that proved most significant.

He was clearly keen to impress and was the first to test keeper Tony Caig in 13 minutes.

Wyness collected a long ball and turned smartly at the edge of the box to lash in a stinging volley that Caig saved low to his left.

In 25 minutes Makinwa wasted Gretna's best chance of the half.

He beat the off-side trap but fired just wide of Michael Fraser's right-hand upright.

It took a while for Caley's passing game to click into top gear but they dismantled the relegation favourites in a deadly 15-minute spell before the break.

Russell Duncan's surging 40-yard run through the middle only created mild danger.

But Niculae took over and found the left corner of Caig's net with a stunning low shot from around 30 yards.

Two minutes later Innes flattened Niculae in the box as the striker went for a Ross Tokely cross.

Rankin doubled Caley's advantage from the penalty spot, calmly sending Caig the wrong way.

Gretna were crumbling as the break approached and Niculae made it three in 42 minutes.

Don Cowie's corner was headed back across goal by Tokely and Niculae reacted quickest to stab a volley home.

Gretna rallied after the interval and enjoyed the better of the play for a spell.

Their pressure forced Grant Munro into a fine saving block with Gavin Skelton ready to pounce.

However, at the other end Duncan's searing strike from just outside the area had to be turned over spectacularly by Caig.

There was a lull in the play before Wyness glanced a header wide from Hastings' cross in 66 minutes.

Caig kept the score respectable with a magnificent touch over at close range from a Markus Paatelainen header.

Caley finished strongest and in 81 minutes Rankin's corner was headed down by Paatelainen and flicked up against the angle of post and bar by David Proctor.

MATCH STATS

SHOTS ON 11

SHOTS OFF 3

OFFSIDE 3

FOULS 9

CORNERS 10

BOOKINGS 0

SHOTS ON 7

SHOTS OFF 3

OFFSIDE 11

FOULS 15

CORNERS 2

BOOKINGS 0

REF WATCH

DOUGIE MCDONALD ran the game smoothly but he was helped by the attitude of both sides. He finished without a single booking and got most big decisions right. Couldn't be faulted at the penalty.

Rating:7/10.