NICK Ross netted a second half goal to earn Inverness CT a 1-1 draw away to bottom side Dunfermline Athletic in the Clydesdale Bank SPL on Saturday.
This result keeps Pars at the foot of the table as they seek their first home win of the season, while Terry Butcher’s team look forward to troubled Rangers’ visit in the SPL next Sunday.
The Caley Jags were aiming to bounce back from successive defeats in the William Hill Scottish Cup and SPL against Celtic as they look towards a push towards the top six, with now seven games to go before the split.
The sole change to the starting 11 at Fife was David Proctor promoted from the bench, following Steve Williams’ suspension following his red card at Celtic Park a week ago.
The hosts were without keeper Iain Turner with a back injury, while Mark Kerr was missing with an ankle knock.
The two league games between these sides before this tussle finished all square, while an extra-time replay win for Caley Thistle knocked Dunfermline out of the Scottish Cup.
After a bright opening by both teams, Greg Tansey flashed an early shot wide from 25 yards after a swift build-up move through the middle of the park.
It was a real battle for possession all over the pitch, but Pars keeper Chris Smith, who has cost his side goals in a few games this season, including against ICT, got down well to clutch a shot from Nick Ross after Claude Gnakpa unsettled their defence top open up the chance.
Dunfermline attacked down the left side on 23 minutes through Paddy Boyle and he teed up Joe Cardle, whose drive was blocked and cleared to safety.
At the other end, Shane Sutherland crashed an angled shot over the bar from inside the box after good work from Tansey and Ross.
Moments later, Jonny Hayes and Tansey linked near the corner flag and the latter’s cross caused panic and Gnkapa drew a save from Smith with a header.
On the stroke of half-time, Dunfermline grabbed the lead.
Joe Cardle was tripped at the edge of the box by Kenny Gillet and Martin Hardie cracked a shot off the bar and Cardle was on hand to bury the rebound. What a lift for the Fifers at the break, but it was a real blow to the Highlanders.
Dunfermline came close to doubling their advantage just after the interval, but a shot just whizzed wide of goal from Cardle, with Gary Mason almost getting a vital touch to steer it home.
On 59 minutes, only a terrific diving save from Andy Kirk denied the improving Pars from making it 2-0 after he beat the offside trap with a smart run.
Dunfermline were looking a good bet to kill the game off and David Graham’s cross from the right just missed the boot of Kirk 10 yards from goal.
Caley Thistle knew they were still in this game though and they drew level when Ross pounced from close range to knock home a cross from Hayes on 73 minutes.
Dunfermline sub Liam Buchanan raced on to a Kirk pass on 81 minutes and Esson was alert enough to race out and end the move with a diving save at his feet.
Alex Keddie headed over from a corner with three minutes to go for the hosts, as both teams pressed for the winner, but time ran out and they had to settle for a point apiece.
Dunfermline Athletic: Smith, Mason (Thomson 80), Rutkiewicz, Keddie, Cardle (Burns 72), Hardie (Buchanan 74), Kirk, Graham, Boyle, Hutton, McMillan. Subs not used: Goodfellow (GK), Dowie, McCann, Willis.
Inverness CT: Esson, Hayes, Tansey, Foran, Ross, Proctor, Sutherland (Tudor Jones 68), Graeme Shinnie, Gillet, Gnakpa (McKay 62), Meekings. Subs not used: Tuffey (GK), Piermayr, Tokely, Morrison, Winnall.
Referee: Bobby Madden.
Attendance: 2,881.
