Kilmarnock produced a stunning comeback against Inverness to win 4-1 and secure their third consecutive home victory in the Clydesdale Bank SPL - inflicting further misery on Craig Brewster's side.

Ian Black put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot in the 14th minute after Frazer Wright was adjudged to have bundled over Ross Tokely during a penalty box scramble.

But centre-half Wright made amends when he tapped home the equaliser in the 38th minute after Iain Flannigan's free-kick fell into his path having hit the post.

Man of the match Craig Bryson fired his side ahead with a thumping 25-yard effort on 51 before the former Clyde midfielder's shot was deflected off Phil McGuire past stranded keeper Michael Fraser five minutes later.

Flannigan added a fourth for Jim Jefferies' side on 64 to consign Caley Thistle - who have not won in the league since January 5 - to their sixth consecutive defeat.

It was Inverness, without a point on the road since February 9, who started the match with greater enthusiasm and in the sixth minute Black produced the first shot on goal.

Alan Combe saved comfortably but the effort stung Killie into action nonetheless, James Fowler exchanging passes with Flannigan - drafted into the side by Jefferies along with another youngster Tim Clancy - before shooting narrowly wide a minute later.

Within 60 seconds Mehdi Taouil wasted an even better opportunity when he lobbed the ball over the bar of an empty goal after Inverness keeper Michael Fraser had collided with Flannigan.

In the 14th minute referee Stephen Finnie handed the visitors the perfect chance to take the lead when he adjudged that Wright had bundled over Ross Tokely during a penalty box scramble following a corner.

Black stepped up to sidefoot the ball into the right-hand corner of the net, just the fifth goal Inverness - who left club record goalscorer Dennis Wyness out of the match-day squad altogether - have scored in their last 10 SPL games.

Jefferies' side immediately pressed for an equaliser - with Taouil becoming increasingly influential - but Brewster's well-marshalled defence comfortably protected their lead initially.

Indeed a Danny Invincibile header which flashed just over the bar was Kilmarnock's best effort in the 20 minutes which followed the opening goal.

Hopes were raised of a penalty being awarded in their favour eight minutes before half-time when Invincibile's weaving run was ended cynically by Black.

Referee Finnie decided the foul was outside the box and although Flannigan's fine free-kick came back off the post, Wright was on hand to tap home the equaliser in the 38th minute to leave the teams level at the interval.

Kilmarnock looked to have a decent claim for a penalty three minutes after the break when Roy McBain appeared to handle the ball on his own goal-line.

David Fernandez had slalomed his way into the penalty box and, when his chip was palmed away by visiting keeper Fraser, Flannigan chested the ball towards goal where McBain appeared to use his hand as he controlled the ball before clearing the danger.

Referee Finnie waved away the home side's protests and perhaps justice was done two minutes later when Bryson rifled the ball past Fraser with a terrific right-footed effort from 25 yards out.

Jefferies' men were now firmly in control and it took a wonderful interception at the front post by skipper Grant Munro to deny Fernandez a tap-in after an excellent cross from Garry Hay.

Kilmarnock doubled their lead in the 56th minute when Clancy's pull-back fell into the path of energetic midfielder Bryson, whose shot deflected off McGuire past a hapless Fraser.

Jefferies' side made the points safe 12 minutes later when the majestic Taouil set up Fernandez and his cross was thumped into the roof of net by Flannigan.

Brewster tried to inject some fight in his side by introducing Dougie Imrie in place of McBain on 73, having already brought Richie Hart on for Iain Vigurs 10 minutes previously.

Rory McAllister entered the fray four minutes later in place of Marius Niculae, the Romania striker having been starved of service for the large majority of the match.

As the game drifted towards its inevitable conclusion, Jefferies made a double substitution with eight minutes remaining as Jamie Hamill and Allan Johnston came on for Flannigan and Taouil.

A Graham Bayne header which looped over Combe's bar was all the visitors could muster in reply as Kilmarnock strolled to an emphatic victory.

Teams:

Kilmarnock Combe, Lilley, Hay, Frazer Wright, Clancy, Fowler,Bryson (Morgan 88), Flannigan (Hamill 82),Taouil (Johnston 82), Invincibile, Fernandez.

Subs Not Used: Harpur, Wales, Di Giacomo, O'Leary.

Booked: Fernandez.

Goals: Frazer Wright 38, Bryson 50, 56, Flannigan 64.

Inverness CT Fraser, Tokely, Vigurs (Hart 62), McGuire, Munro,Black, Proctor, Duncan, McBain (Imrie 73), Bayne,Niculae (McAllister 77).

Subs Not Used: Malkowski, Cowie, Hastings, Kerr.

Goals: Black 14 pen.

Att: 5,100

Ref: S Finnie (Scotland).