Caley Thistle were unable to find a breakthrough as they drew 0-0 against Queen of the South at Palmerston.
The result moves Caley Jags to within six points of a play-off position, however the Championship fixture against the Doonhamers was surrounded in controversy before a ball was kicked.
Inverness had faced difficulty in their preparations after not arriving at their team hotel in Dumfries until 3.30am on the morning of the game after their team bus was held back for several hours following an accident on the A9 at Killiecrankie on Friday.
The Highlanders attempted to postpone the match but saw their efforts turned down by the SPFL, to the fury of Inverness manager John Robertson. He made one change from the side which defeated Brechin City 4-0 on Tuesday night, with Iain Vigurs returning from suspension to replace Charlie Trafford.
Queens had the first attempt on 10 minutes when Vigurs’ loose pass allowed Lyndon Dykes to set up Stephen Dobbie, but the striker’s effort was palmed wide by Mark Ridgers.
Inverness threatened from long-range, with Joe Chalmers having a shot tipped wide by Alan Martin, before Liam Polworth flashed an effort wide. Polworth did well to dispossess full back Jordan Marshall midway through the first-half, however John Baird was unable to make a strong connection with his cutback and Martin saved comfortably.
Queens had long-range shots through Chris Kane, which was well held by Ridgers, while an effort from Dykes flashed wide, with Carl Tremarco nodding wide at the other end.
The hosts looked the more threatening side at the start of the second-half, with Ridgers doing well to hold a powerful effort from Kyle Jacobs, before Darren Brownlie lashed over following a corner.
Inverness were also thwarted in their attempts to find a breakthrough, with Jake Mulraney’s low shot well saved by Martin before Vigurs struck a free-kick marginally over.
The visitors finished the stronger of the two sides, with George Oakley denied by Martin before the Highlanders saw a late penalty shout turned down by referee Barry Cook, when Trafford went to ground inside the box after tangling with defender Marshall.
Substitute Derek Lyle sent a half-volley wide for the hosts in stoppage time, but the two sides had to settle for a point.
