Hearts earn late point at Inverness CT

A LAST-GASP penalty from crisis club Hearts sealed a share of the points in a 1-1 draw with Caley Thistle in Inverness on Saturday.

Home captain Richie Foran came back into the starting line-up in place of the injured Ross Draper as they sought to extend their unbeaten run to 10.

The visitors arrived from from a week of off-field troubles, with the very real threat of liquidation hanging over the famous Edinburgh club. There are fears that this could have been their last away SPL fixture if financial matters with the taxman are not resolved week with an immediate £450,000 bill to tackle.

Before the action began, a minute's silence for Remembrance weekend was perfectly observed by all within the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

ICT had the first opportunity when Aaron Doran whipped a cross in from the right to try and pick out Foran, but keeper Jamie MacDonald punched the ball clear.

Moments later, Callum Paterson's drive was deflected over the top by Gary Warren's timely interception.

On eight minutes, a terrific sweeping move ended with Andrew Shinnie's volley being well held by MacDonald after Doran delivered the cross following Foran sparking the attack from the edge of his own box.

Caley Jags keeper Antonio Reguero then pushed clear a fierce 20-yarder from Ryan Stevenson as the Hearts ace found a gap.

The Inverness side grabbed the lead in sensational fashion on 19 minutes.

Andrew Shinnie fed the ball to Welsh midfielder Owain Tudur Jones and he sent a rasping right-foot 30-yarder into the top right-hand corner of the net, with MacDonald clutching air.

After half an hour, Billy McKay collected a ball from Foran, stepped past two opponents before shooting just past the right post.

At the other end, Paterson weaved his way into the box, but Josh Meekings diverted his drive past the right post.

Just before the break, MacDonald kept Hearts in the contest when he dived to push clear a net-bound Foran shot from 20 yards.

Inverness CT could have doubled their advantage on 56 minutes when Andrew Shinnie was put through by Doran, but the midfielder shot straight at MacDonald before Tudur Jones' follow-up was blocked.

Hearts then had a decent spell of pressure and possession but they could not find a way through the resolute defence.

Stevenson came close when he again went for goal on 72 minutes, but it was deflected past the post off Tudur Jones.

Nine minutes from time, sub John Sutton headed over the top from a Grainger delivery from the left.

Hearts' pressure paid off in the final minute though when Callum Paterson was taken down in the box by Tudur Jones and referee Willie Collum pointed to the spot.

Marius Zaliukas made no mistake as he sent Reguero the wrong way to make it 1-1.

ICT threw everything at the visitors in stoppage time, but could not get the winner, but did make it 10 unbeaten.

Inverness CT: Reguero (GK), Raven, Graeme Shinnie, Tudur Jones, Warren, McKay, Foran, Andrew Shinnie (Morrison 85), Meekings, Doran, Roberts (Sutherland 64). Subs not used: Mathieson (GK), Polworth, Brislen-Hall, Martins, Cooper.

Hearts: MacDonald, Grainger, McGowan, Barr (Sutton 77), Webster, Stevenson, Taouil (McGowan 46), Holt, Novikovas (Driver 46), Zaliukas, Paterson. Subs not used: Encklenman (GK), Smith, Walker, McHattie.

Referee: Willie Collum.

Attendance: 3,332.