Inverness began life without former player-manager Craig Brewster in the best possible way as they extended their unbeaten run in the Bank of Scotland Premier League to 10 games with a comfortable victory over hapless Livingston.

Craig Dargo lost a strike partner as well as a boss when Brewster departed for Dundee United, but was on hand to head Caley Thistle into a 26th-minute lead, converting Barry Wilson's cross.

The former Kilmarnock forward then netted a 56th-minute penalty after Barry Wilson was fouled by Dave MacKay before Dennis Wyness completed the scoring with a wonderful strike four minutes later.

Inverness started in fervent fashion, determined to show the departure of their talismanic former boss had not left any negative after-effects, but it was Livingston - looking to respond from their midweek Tennent's Scottish Cup humbling at the hands of Alloa Athletic - who created the first clear-cut chances of the afternoon.

Recent signings Wes Hoolahan and Steve Hislop provided some much needed impetus to a severely struggling side and from the former's cross the ex-Caley striker sent a header wide of goal after only three minutes.

The sprightly Hoolahan looked keen to impress from his left-wing berth and when his centre was only half-cleared by Grant Munro 10 minutes later, David McNamee lashed a powerful volley inches over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

The right-midfielder looked to have fully recovered from a persistent Achilles injury which has blighted his last eight months and McNamee should have headed Livingston into the lead in the 20th minute, but was denied by an outstanding stop from Mark Brown in the home goal.

That save inspired Inverness and six minutes later the Jags broke the deadlock when the diminutive Dargo evaded the attentions of the away defence to flick a header across Roddy McKenzie and into the far corner of the net.

Caley Thistle had now awoken from their temporary slumber and on-loan Hearts striker Wyness then forced McKenzie into a fine save a full stretch courtesy of a curling effort from the edge of the box.

From the resultant corner, the ever-aware Wilson attempted to catch the Livingston 'keeper out at his near post, but McKenzie telegraphed the clever effort and made a comfortable catch.

Livingston player-manager Paul Lambert made the decision to substitute himself at the interval, but he could only watch in horror as his players capitulated in four frustrating second half minutes.

Firstly, the former Celtic midfielder saw captain MacKay concede a penalty after a late, lunging tackle on Wilson which was duly dispatched by Dargo.

That goal knocked the stuffing out of an away side sorely lacking in confidence and their defeat was confirmed four minutes later as Wyness powered an exquisite volley from 12 yards out past the helpless McKenzie.

Greg Strong nearly netted a consolation 11 minutes from time, but his header from Jason Dair's cross was well saved by Brown, before substitute Rory McAllister fired a shot just wide of goal as Inverness extended their unbeaten run in the Bank of Scotland Premier League to 10 games.

Teams:

Inverness CT Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson (Proctor 82), Black (Hart 74), Duncan, McBain, Dargo, Wyness (McAllister 69).

Subs Not Used: Fraser, Golabek, McCaffrey, Fox.

Booked: Black.

Goals: Dargo 26, 57 pen, Wyness 60.

Livingston McKenzie, McNamee (Walker 68), Pinxten, Strong, Mackay, Brittain, Lambert (Vincze 46), Dair, Hoolahan, Dalglish, Hislop (Dorado 76).

Subs Not Used: Roy, Snodgrass, Tesevic, Dorrans.

Booked: Strong, Mackay, Dair.

Att: 3,604

Ref: C Thomson (Scotland).