Aberdeen brought Inverness CT’s six-game unbeaten run to an end and helped champions Celtic move level with the Highland club at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
The damage was done by substitute Scott Vernon, who sent a glorious strike past on-loan Luton Town goalkeeper Dean Brill with 10 minutes remaining at Pittodrie.
Inverness boss Terry Butcher felt the sides had been evenly matched.
He said: “I don’t think there was much between the teams to be honest, neither keeper had too much to do. Dean Brill, has made a couple of good saves in the first half and we’ve not really tested Jamie Langfield enough.
“We were better in the second half and at the time they got their goal, I thought it was probably our best spell.
“That’s our unbeaten run gone and we haven’t scored today. It’s disappointing but we’ll regroup. It’s a different feeling we’ve not lost this season and I don’t quite know what to do now.
“The dog will get walked tomorrow and I’ll reflect on it.”
Ross County left it late to claim all three points against Hearts as two goals in the last two minutes guided them to a dramatic victory at Global Energy Stadium.
County looked down and out as Hearts led 1-0 thanks to a Callum Paterson goal midway through the first half after the home side had dominated.
Despite the Staggies’ ascendancy, they did not look like they were going to find the net until a dramatic finish.
Substitute Melvin De Leeuw turned the game County’s way with a goal in the 89th minute before he crossed for Richard Brittain to head home in injury time.
Strikers James Collins and Paul Heffernan heaped yet more doubt on Danny Lennon’s long-term prospects as St Mirren boss as they gave Hibernian a 2-0 win at Easter Road.
The duo were combined for the first time a week ago as they both struck to confirm victory at St Johnstone and they repeated the feat to give the Leith side a third league victory of the season.
St Mirren have taken a mere point from the 18 they have contested so far, mainly due to shambolic defending.
Kilmarnock were left searching for their first win of the season despite a spirited comeback against Partick Thistle.
The Jags dominated the first half at Firhill and headed into half-time with a deserved lead after Aaron Muirhead successfully converted from the penalty spot.
Killie threw themselves a lifeline after the break thanks to a Kris Boyd leveller early in the second half but could not find a second goal to secure the elusive victory as the match ended 1-1.