Dundee United completed a barnstorming second-half comeback, led by substitute Johnny Russell, to overcome an Inverness side who finished the game with 10 men 3-2.
Early goals in either half from Jonny Hayes and Billy McKay had Inverness in front, but United replacement Russell reduced the deficit before a Roman Golobart own goal levelled proceedings.
Russell won the match for the visitors with 12 minutes to go before Caley Thistle's misery was compounded when David Davis was dismissed for two bookable offences.
Caley Thistle took the lead with just 69 seconds gone when a surging run from on-loan Wolves midfielder Davis left the defence trailing in his wake as he cut the ball back into the path of Hayes, who thundered home a low shot from eight yards.
United began to press more, Jon Daly going close with a free header after being set up by Gary Mackay-Steven, but Inverness goalkeeper Ryan Esson was not being tested. Caley Thistle still looked the more dangerous and only a fine save by Dusan Pernis prevented McKay from capitalising on a Robbie Neilson error.
McKay may have been foiled just before half-time, but he was not to be denied two minutes into the second half as Inverness were once more out the blocks quickly. Hayes swung in a tempting cross from the right and McKay beat Gavin Gunning to get a vital touch with his head that took it into the corner of the net past Pernis for his first Caley goal.
United made an immediate change, introducing Russell for Willo Flood, and the substitute made an instant impact two minutes later.
Stuart Armstrong did the hard work in getting himself past several Inverness challenges before the ball broke to Russell, who sent a searing drive past the well beaten Esson.
United drew level with 64 minutes gone when Mackay-Steven had the initial effort from the angle of the penalty area which, although on target, appeared to be heading into Esson's arms until Golobart diverted it past him and into the corner of the goal.
Inverness were nervy and United went in front for the first time with 78 minutes played. Mackay-Steven put the ball through for Russell and he got in ahead of Kenny Gillet to prod the ball home for his second of the game. It then got worse for Caley Thistle as Davis saw red for a second bookable offence in the 83rd minute after catching Mackay-Steven.
