Celtic moved 19 points clear at the top of the Bank of Scotland Premier League thanks to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's injury-time winner at Inverness.

The Hoops broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when Steven Pressley's cross caused confusion in the home penalty area - and after Roy McBain sent the ball off his own bar, Derek Riordan pounced in predatory fashion.

Caley Thistle fashioned an equaliser in the 57th minute as Graham Bayne headed in a cross from Grant Munro, but Vennegoor of Hesselink struck late on.

He was, however, subsequently sent off - receiving a second yellow card during his celebrations.

Inverness had suffered a blow inside a minute of the kick-off, Dennis Wyness leaving the pitch following an innocuous-looking clash with Pressley in which the forward dislocated a shoulder.

Rory McAllister was summoned from the substitutes' bench - Caley Thistle boss Charlie Christie given more injury trouble, after Craig Dargo had suffered the same problem in last weekend's 3-0 win over Hibs.

Celtic created the first opening of the game when Thomas Gravesen's measured cross from the left picked out the unmarked Vennegoor of Hesselink - who volleyed wide.

After his surprise early introduction, McAllister was soon presented with an opportunity to fire in a shot from 25 yards - which took a slight deflection off Stephen McManus and drew a good save from Artur Boruc.

McAllister blasted a right-footed drive wide from 30 yards, while a driving run from Barry Wilson ended with a shot flashing across the face of Boruc's goal.

But it was Celtic who took the lead eight minutes before the break when Pressley's cross from the right wing was met meekly by Richard Hastings at his near post - who could instead have allowed Michael Fraser to make an easy catch.

McBain sliced an attempted clearance against his own bar, under pressure from Shunsuke Nakamura - and when the ball dropped, Riordan was left with a tap-in.

Unfortunately for the Bhoys, in creating the goal Pressley picked up a knock and was replaced by Darren O'Dea in the 40th minute.

Inverness responded well, Bayne directing a header wide before the break.

Wilson went close for Caley Thistle early in the second half - leaving Gravesen for dead with a glorious turn and having his powerful drive saved by Boruc.

The Polish goalkeeper could not keep hold of the ball, but McBain was able only to turn the rebound wide.

Nevertheless, the Highlanders soon fashioned an equaliser - when Munro's cross from the left wing was brilliantly headed into the bottom right-hand corner of the net by Bayne from 10 yards out.

Kenny Miller was forced off only 14 minutes after entering the action as a half-time substitute, Jiri Jarosik coming on.

Celtic had lacked inspiration for most of a frustrating match - but finally Nakamura created an opening for Vennegoor of Hesselink, whose searing shot was bravely blocked by Fraser.

The former PSV Eindhoven striker was not to be denied the winning goal, though.

When Darren Dods could only send Nakamura's cross up into the air, Vennegoor of Hesselink buried a volley past Fraser - before being shown a red card in a stunning conclusion.

Teams

Inverness CT Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson,McBain, Duncan (Black 74), Rankin, Bayne,Wyness (McAllister 2), McAllister (Paatelainen 84).

Subs Not Used: Ridgers, McCaffrey, Morgan, Soane.

Goals: Bayne 57.

Celtic Boruc, Telfer, Pressley (O'Dea 39), McManus, Naylor,Nakamura, Gravesen, Lennon, Riordan, Vennegoor of Hesselink,Beattie (Miller 45), Miller (Jarosik 60).

Subs Not Used: Brown, McGeady, Sno, Maloney.

Sent Off: Vennegoor of Hesselink (90).

Booked: Vennegoor of Hesselink, Jarosik.

Goals: Riordan 37, Vennegoor of Hesselink 90.

Att: 7,484

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).