On-loan striker Billy Clarke was Falkirk's hero at the Caledonian Stadium as the Bairns claimed a vital three points in their bid to clinch a top-six finish.

The victory moved the Bairns seven points clear of their Highland opposition and one step closer to securing a top-half finish for the first time in the club's history.

The 20-year-old, signed from Ipswich in January, had only been on the pitch for 15 minutes when he fired home after Russell Latapy had caused panic in the home defence.

Both clubs went into the game looking to keep their top-half ambitions alive, and on the first-half evidence it was always going to be tight.

Off-target efforts from Marius Niculae and Don Cowie opened the game as the Inverness men went on the attack.

The club's leading goalscorer Dennis Wyness, seeking his first goal since October, also came close but his 25-yard effort was well held by Robert Olejnik.

Falkirk replied as Carl Finnigan caused problems in the seventh minute.

The former Newcastle reserve, who signed a new one-year deal this week, was again involved after 15 minutes as John Hughes' men pushed for an opening goal.

Pedro Moutinho's far side corner was scrambled only as far as Finnigan but he failed to stab the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

Inverness striker Niculae also had reason to celebrate this week with international honours, as he was recalled by Romania after a lengthy absence.

The big forward drove into the Falkirk penalty box and almost added a goal to top off his week, only for Olejnik to get down well and tip his effort wide of the post.

Both managers adjusted their teams soon after the interval with the evergreen Russell Latapy on for Falkirk and Graham Bayne on for Falkirk.

But it was the starters who caused the problems.

Falkirk striker Pedro Moutinho picked the ball up wide on the left, leaving Ross Tokely behind him as he surged forward.

But Moutinho fired the ball wide of Fraser's post and that chance, in the 55th minute, was gone. At the other end it was Niculae causing the threat, and he looked to be the class act on the pitch.

Falkirk striker Michael Higdon had gone 75 minutes without making any impact on the match, and with his first consequential involvement he almost made Inverness pay.

A smart near-post ball from substitute Clarke, who came on five minutes earlier, found Higdon unmarked at the near post.

However the Englishman took too long and allowed a cluster of red and blue jerseys to halt his advances.

Clarke repaid Hughes for handing him his chance on the pitch by grabbing the winner in the 87th minute.

The experienced Latapy was allowed to run with the ball and sliced open the Inverness defence.

His moment of magic set up Clarke to beat Michael Fraser and send the away support wild.

Clarke over-celebrated and was booked, but after 22 goalless appearances for Ipswich earlier in the season, and five games without scoring for Falkirk since moving north, his enthusiasm and relief was understandable.

Teams:

Inverness CT Fraser, Tokely, McGuire, Munro, Hastings, Cowie (McAllister 80), Duncan, Black, McBain (Imrie 80), Niculae, Wyness (Bayne 53).

Subs Not Used: Malkowski, Kerr, Vigurs, Proctor.

Booked: Black.

Falkirk Olejnik, Aafjes, Barr, Milne, Scobbie, Moutinho (Clarke 70), Cregg (Latapy 57), McBride, Arfield, Barrett, Finnigan (Riera 57).

Subs Not Used: Supple, Ross, Stewert, Bradley.

Booked: Clarke.

Goals: Clarke 86.

Att: 4,012

Ref: C Murray (Scotland).