A Rooney hatrick ensured victory for Inverness over a lack lustre Queens side who are now starting to slip behind in the Championship race.

The win saw Caley move into second place, six points behind Dundee.

Rooney opened the scoring with a close-range effort before doubling his side's advantage with a left-foot drive from just inside the box.

Queens then pulled a goal back from the penalty spot through Derek Holmes, before Rooney grabbed his third, also from a spot-kick.

The home side threatened from the start but didn't find the net until four minutes before the break.

Richie Foran slipped as he went for a Jonny Hayes cross and Rooney pounced to slam the ball past David Hutton.

Rooney added a second when, after catching Marvin Andrews on the wrong side, he sent a left-foot shot past Hutton from just inside the box.

Queens were handed a lifeline on the hour mark when David Weatherson was bundled over in the box and Holmes sent Ryan Esson the wrong way.

However Caley restored their advantage form the penalty spot and it was no surprise that it was Rooney who took it.

Hutton guessed the correct way but the ball went under his body to make it three.

Foran cleared off the line from Paul Burns in the dying minutes, but it was Caley Thistle who took all three points to move into second place.

Queens are starting to slip behind in the Championship and with some crucial fixtures looming along with a  mounting injury list manager Chisolm will have his work cut out to steady the ship.

A total of 59 diehard Queens fans made the trip to Inverness including one young chap still in his school uniform. Several other fans will have had very little sleep before thay start work this morning.  We salute you all.

Queens Mad Man of the Match -  Paul Burns - The man from Cumnock stuck to his task whilst those around him seemed to lose interest.