Terry Butcher is disappointed the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season has come to its conclusion, insisting his Caley Thistle side were just getting into their stride.
Second half goals by Greg Tansey and a Jonny Hayes penalty secured a 2-0 victory over Hibernian that stretched the unbeaten run Inverness are on to three games.
In a season badly hampered by long-term injuries to several key players including Chris Hogg, Owain Tudur Jones, Andrew Shinnie and Aaron Doran, Caley Thistle have found the going difficult.
However, with nearly their full squad back the Highland Capital club have shown improved form, so much so that manager Butcher does not want the campaign to end.
He said: "I'm delighted that we've managed to beat Hibs for the first time this season.
"It was a great free-kick by Greg Tansey to get us going. He's a fantastic player, who has got better and better as the season has gone on, but I think that could be applied to the whole team.
"It's actually disappointing that the season is now over for us because we're beginning to get our injured players back and the team has a good shape about it."
Having secured their SPL status on Monday with a win over relegated Dunfermline, Hibernian made a host of changes to their team that made the trip to Inverness.
With thoughts for the Hibees now turning to next Saturday's Scottish Cup final against Hearts, boss Pat Fenlon conceded that while the performance against Caley Thistle was not the best, some players had pressed forward their claims for inclusion at Hampden.
He said: "The first half was scrappy and the second half probably even scrappier from our point of view.
"It was a disappointing performance, but it's been difficult to concentrate on this game. However, it's out of the way now.
"I felt that one or two players did okay, but I'll see how they are in training this week before making a final decision."