Inverness CT 1 - 1 Hearts

Hearts were forced to settle for a third successive draw as they were held 1-1 by ten man Inverness in the Highland capital.

Aaron Doran's early opener was cancelled out by a second half Stephen Elliott strike, before Ross Tokely took an early bath after picking up a second yellow card.

Hearts made two changes from the side that drew with Motherwell. Out went Jason Thomson and David Templeton made way for Andy Driver and Suso Santana, who slotted in to a 442 formation.

The home side needed just six minutes to break the deadlock. Richie Foran was played in down the right flank, and had all the time in the world to pick out Aaron Doran at the back post, who volleyed calmly past MacDonald.

Rooney came close to doubling the Highlander's lead on 19 minutes, his low header forcing MacDonald in to a smart stop at his near post.

Suso spurned a good chance for Hearts three minutes later. Good link up play between Elliott and Thomson allowed he full back to reach the by line. He pulled the ball back for the Spaniard, who sent it sinning high over the cross bar.

Skacel managed to find the target with a 27th minute free kick after a foul on Stevenson, although Esson dealt with his effort comfortably.

MacDonald was called in to action again after 35 minutes. The 'keeper made himself big to deny Rooney, who cut the rebound back to Nick Ross, and Hearts were fortunate that the ball bounced off the Caley player and in to MacDonald's arms.

Andy Driver came closest to equalising five minutes before the break. Suso drove in a right footed cross, and the left winger got across his man to meet the ball, but his header just lacked the pace to sneak in to the far post past Esson.

Skacel was inches away from restoring parity right on half time. Thomson's cross travelled all the way to the back post, and the Czech slid in and connected well, only to see Munro clear his effort off the line.

Hearts: MacDonald, CThomson, Bouzid, Webster, Palazuelos, Suso, Skacel (McGowan 64), Black, Driver (Templeton 69), Elliott, Stevenson. Subs not used: Balogh, Zaliukas, Mrowiec, Robinson, Glen.

Inverness: Esson, Tokely, Duff, Cox, Foran, Rooney (MacDonald 73), Hayes (Sutherland 75), Ross, Gillet, Doran (Munro 79), Hogg. Subs not used: Tuffey, Duncan, Munro, Innes, Morrison.

Referee: Crawford Allan

Top Man: Suso

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