Rudi Skacel's seventh goal in as many games ensured Hearts maintained their perfect start to the Bank of Scotland Premierleague season against a determined Inverness side.

The Czech midfielder struck in the 28th minute, firing home from 10 yards after a throw in from Takis Fyssas broke to him in the box.

The victory makes it seven in a row for the Jambos and takes them eight points clear of a chasing pack that includes Rangers and Celtic.

Inverness thought they had equalised in the 41st minute, but Craig Dargo's effort was ruled out for offside as they gave the league leaders a stern test in a full-blooded encounter.

A confident Hearts side made the brighter start in the swirling rain at Caledonian Stadium and within the first minute registered a shot on Mark Brown's goal.

Paul Hartley lined-up a free kick from 20 yards and his low effort snuck through the wall, zipped along the turf and was well gathered by the Inverness goalkeeper.

The visitors bossed the early proceedings and Steven Pressley headed wide from an in-swinging Hartley corner, before Skacel produced a stinging drive from 25 yards.

Brown took no chances with the powerful effort and punched the ball wide of goal at the concession of a corner.

Hearts then saw penalty appeals waved away after Roman Bednar plunged to the ground while attempting to take the ball past Darren Dods.

However, Hearts soon took the lead thanks to the prolific Skacel.

A throw-in from Greek international Fyssas from the left found its way into the middle of the Inverness penalty box.

The ball broke to Skacel and his low shot arrowed into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal.

Skacel's strike kept his goal-a-game record intact, but referee McCurry cautioned the goalscorer after he left the pitch to celebrate with the Hearts fans.

In the 41st minute Inverness thought they had equalised thanks to Dargo, but his effort was ruled out for offside. Barry Wilson's corner was headed against the post by player-manager Craig Brewster. The ball rebounded to Dods whose driven effort across goal was tapped-in by the unmarked Dargo from only a yard out.

In the 58th minute, Skacel showed there is far more to his game than goalscoring as he split the Inverness defence with a fantastic through ball to Edgaras Jankauskas.

However, the towering striker was well marshalled by Grant Munro, who cleared the danger when Jankauskas lost his footing on the slippery turf while trying to cut inside the Caley defender.

Five minutes later, Burley was forced into making a substitution when Fyssas had to leave the play with what appeared to be a calf injury. Youngster Lee Wallace took the Greek's place in a straight swap at left-back.

In the 74th minute, Brown was tested by an in-swinging corner from substitute Camazzola which threatened to dip under his crossbar. However the Caley goalkeeper pushed the ball over the top of his goal at the concession of another corner.

Skacel delivered the ball into the box and when the ball eventually found its way back to him, his low drive from the edge of the box was well saved by Brown.

Two minutes later from Morgan's corner, Munro nearly bundled home an equaliser but he couldn't direct his effort from Brewster's flick-on towards goal.

Hearts comfortably played out time to maintain their magnificent start to the season.

Teams

Inverness CT Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Golabek, Wilson (Morgan 77), Proctor, Black, McBain (Fox 45), Dargo (Hart 84), Brewster.

Subs Not Used: Fraser, Duncan, Parratt, Finnigan.

Booked: Brewster, Black.

Hearts Gordon, Neilson, Pressley, Webster, Fyssas (Wallace 64), McAllister (Camazzola 55), Hartley, Brellier, Skacel, Jankauskas (Simmons 87), Bednar.

Subs Not Used: Banks, Cesnauskis, Berra, Elliot.

Booked: Skacel.

Goals: Skacel 28.

Att: 6,704

Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).