Aberdeen took a giant step towards finishing in the top six of the Bank of Scotland Premier League as Steve Lovell's predatory finish eight minutes from time saw off Inverness.

The former Dundee striker capitalised on a mix-up between Mark Brown and Grant Munro, and his lofted effort saw the Pittodrie side move into sixth place in the table, two points ahead of the Highlanders.

Inverness had been unfortunate not to take a first-half lead when Zander Diamond produced a vital tackle to deny Craig Dargo.

Dons boss Calderwood had fielded an attacking formation for his side's last two games, and he stood by that policy after scoring five goals in those fixtures against Livingston and Motherwell.

When attacking, Aberdeen effectively were playing with four up front including wingers Jamie Smith and Ferne Snoyl, and it was the Dutchman who had the first sight of goal, flashing a fifth-minute shot just past Inverness goalkeeper Brown's far post.

Seven minutes later, a clever pass from Smith sent Stevie Crawford in behind the Caley rearguard and from tight against the goal-line the forward attempted to drive a low centre across goal towards Snoyl.

However, Brown was well placed at his near post and made an unorthodox save - trapping the ball between both legs.

Inverness immediately responded with a sweeping counter attack and, from Richie Hart's cross, former Aberdeen striker Dennis Wyness clipped an effort from six yards just over the crossbar.

The on-loan Hearts player then seized on some slack play from Kevin McNaughton following Darren Dods' long clearance, but after shuffling inside the Dons defender, Wyness curled his shot from the edge of the penalty area just over.

The home side were slowly pushing the pace and Dargo nearly opened the scoring on the half-hour mark when he beat Dons goalkeeper Jamie Langfield to a loose ball.

The 28-year old must have thought he was about to notch his 18th goal of the season, but he had not accounted for the recovering Diamond who made a crucial clearance, conceding a corner which came to nothing.

Four minutes into the second half an inswinging cross from Smith was met by a diving header from Crawford, but the Aberdeen striker's effort drifted just past the far post of a relieved Brown.

The Inverness goalkeeper was then called into action two minutes later, pushing wide a 25-yard free-kick from the lively Smith as the visiting side started the second period in threatening fashion.

Aberdeen had spent most of their time in the opposition half since the interval, but were finding it difficult to break down a resolute Inverness backline.

As a result of the visitors' inability to create a close-range opportunity, Scott Severin attempted an audacious effort on the half-volley from fully 30 yards which Brown comfortably dealt with.

However with eight minutes remaining, the Inverness goalkeeper and Munro got in a defensive mess as each waited on the other to clear the ball.

Lovell nipped in to toe poke the ball over the head of Brown and score a vital goal.

That strike was the former Dundee forward's fourth in three games and ensured Aberdeen earned the three points which moved them into sixth place with only one game to go before the split - against Hibernian at Pittodrie.

Teams

Inverness CT Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro,Hastings (McAllister 86), Wilson, Duncan, Black (Morgan 90),Hart, Wyness, Dargo (Bayne 74).

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

Booked: Dargo, Wilson.

Aberdeen Langfield, Clark, Anderson, Diamond (Stewart 84),McNaughton, Smith, Severin, Dempsey, Snoyl (Foster 63), Lovell,Crawford (MacFarlane 88).

Subs Not Used: Kelly, Mackie, Macauley, Griffin.

Booked: Severin, Clark, Lovell, Smith.

Goals: Lovell 83.

Att: 7,368

Ref: C MacKay (Scotland).