Late goal denies ICT victory
Caley Thistle 1, Hearts 1

A LATE penalty by Marius Zaliukas cancelled out a wonderful strike by Owain Tudur Jones as Caley Thistle and Hearts shared the points in the Highland Capital.

There was one enforced change to the Inverness line-up from the one that triumphed 2-1 at Kilmarnock last weekend.

An ankle injury ruled out Ross Draper which meant a return to the team for captain Richie Foran having recovered from a knee problem.

Manager Terry Butcher also included Portuguese forward Andre Martins on the bench with Conor Pepper not involved due to illness.

Inverness were looking to extend their unbeaten run into double figures and almost took an early lead, but Andrew Shinnie's spectacular volley easily bounced into the arms of Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald after he had been picked out by Aaron Doran.

At the other end, Ryan Stevenson produced an effort from 20 yards only to see Antonio Reguero hold it at the second attempt.

Caley Thistle were posing more of an attacking threat and deservedly took the lead with a stunning goal after 19 minutes.

Andrew Shinnie set up Owain Tudur Jones 30 yards from goal and the midfielder opted to try his luck, firing home an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

The hosts could have extended their lead further before the interval, but Billy McKay scuffed well wide from 18 yards, while MacDonald threw himself to his left to keep out Foran's drive from 20 yards.

Caley Thistle continued to be the better side at the start of the second half, Andrew Shinnie's shot being blocked by MacDonald before Zaliukas got in the way of Tudur Jones goalbound effort.

Hearts were at least making more of a contest of it, Stevenson seeing his shot strike Gary Warren before bouncing away to safety.

The visitors, however, were unable to turn their pressure into something more tangible until Callum Paterson was adjudged to have been felled in a crowded 18-yard box.

Referee Willie Collum pointed to the spot and Zaliukas thumped home the penalty to square matters in the 90th minute.

Inverness did have one final chance in injury-time, but Danny Grainger was well positioned to turn away Foran's dangerous low cross.

CALEY THISTLE - Reguero; Raven, G. Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Tudur Jones, Doran, Foran, McKay, A. Shinnie (Morrison, 85), Roberts (Sutherland, 64). Subs unused: Polworth, Brislen-Hall, Martins, Cooper, Mathieson. Booked: G. Shinnie.

HEARTS - MacDonald; Grainger, R. McGowan, Barr (Sutton, 77), Webster, Stevenson, Taouil (D. McGowan, 46), Holt, Novikovas (Driver, 46), Zaliukas, Paterson. Subs unused: Smith, Walker, McHattie, Enckelman. Booked: Grainger, D. McGowan.

Attendance: 3332.

Referee: W. Collum.