Dufftown slumped to a 12th defeat in 16 league matches this season as league leaders Inverness City comfortably claimed victory at Westburn Park.

With co-managers Willie Duncan and Rab Mulheron both absent, the role of managing the Dufftown team was given to physio Steven Wiltshire with some limited assistance from defender Paul Lamberton who was suspended for the match.

There were two changes made to the side that suffered defeat against Glentanar last weekend, out went Rab Coll and Adam Irvine to be replaced by Blair McDonald and debutant Neil MacDonald.

The Westburn Park pitch passed a 10.00am inspection from match referee Kevin Anderson - several Dufftown committee members spending a large part of the morning shovelling snow off of the park to make it playable.

The efforts of the Dufftown committee were not to be rewarded however as Inverness took the lead after 15 minutes.  A foul by Dufftown defender Lee McGregor on Inverness striker Steven Sanderson resulted in referee Anderson pointing to the penalty spot.  From the resultant spot kick, Jordon MacDonald beat home 'keeper Martin Taylor to the 'keeper's right.

Good pressure from Dufftown after 24 minutes was to bring the home side their first chance of the match.  Midfielder Neil MacDonald swung over an excellent cross which was cleared by Jordon MacDonald straight to Peter Fraser but the Dufftown midfielder's effort was well saved by visiting 'keeper Ian Pearce.

Inverness almost doubled their advantage after half an hour.  This time striker Michael MacKenzie collected the ball around 18 yards out before unleashing a shot which home 'keeper Martin Taylor did extremely well to tip wide for a corner.

Just a minute later and once again it was 'keeper Taylor to the rescue for Dufftown.  A corner kick was swung over into the Dufftown penalty area by Gary Miller and with the ball ricocheting around inside the penalty area Taylor made two point blank saves of the highest quality.

Dufftown almost grabbed an equaliser on 37 minutes.  A free kick from top scorer Stuart Allan some 25 yards out saw 'keeper Pearce parry Allan's effort before the ball broke to Kevin Smith but the Dufftown defender saw his effort cleared by the goalkeeper and the chance was gone.

Into the second half and the pattern of Inverness dominance was to continue.  An 18 yard shot from Michael MacKenzie after 47 minutes seemed to deceive home 'keeper Taylor, the ball bobbling under the diving 'keeper, hitting off of Taylor before sliding past the post and out for a corner.

Just four minutes later and another chance for Inverness. Midfielder Ross Thomson waltzed through the Dufftown midfield before shooting from the edge of the penalty area, again home 'keeper Taylor was equal to the task though, tipping the effort over the crossbar for a corner kick.

Inverness doubled their advantage after 61 minutes.  A free-kick was played in by Gary Miller to the near post where he found Steven Sanderson in space to guide the ball beyond home 'keeper Taylor and deservedly double the league leaders advantage.

Just a minute later and Dufftown almost found a route back into the match.  This time Mark Sanderson fired in a shot which visiting 'keeper Pearce did well to deal with at his near post.

The final goal of the match was to come for Inverness on 69 minutes.  Midfielder Ross Thomson was the man who did the damage, looping a shot over home 'keeper Taylor and into the net to underline the difference between the sides.

The final whistle was blown and Dufftown can reflect on a disappointing performance, they will know that they are capable of much better performances and that these will be needed in the coming weeks and months.