Francisco Sandaza's penalty secured a 1-0 win in Inverness and lifted St Johnstone into the top four of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.
The Spaniard netted his 18th goal of the season in the 41st minute from the penalty spot - and it proved enough to stretch the visitors' unbeaten league run to six games.
Only the woodwork prevented Caley Thistle substitute Claude Gnakpa earning his team a draw in the third minute of injury time.
A far from meaningless game, this rearranged fixture from snowy January 2, gave both teams an opportunity to climb the table.
St Johnstone strengthened their bid for European football next season by leapfrogging Dundee United, while Inverness missed the chance to rise above Aberdeen and St Mirren into eighth.