Caley Thistle were left to rue several squandered opportunities as Ross County earned a share of the spoils in a fierce Highland derby at Caledonian Stadium.
Marley Watkins put Inverness ahead before the home side saw four efforts cleared off the line. Their missed chances were then punished as the Highlanders scored an own goal to hand County a point.
For Caley Thistle manager John Hughes this was the beginning of life after Billy Mckay. The departure of the prolific goalscorer, who netted nine times in his last 11 matches, completed his £150,000 move to English Championship club Wigan Athletic on Friday.
In his absence Marley Watkins was given the chance to stake his claim for the lone forward role. The only other change from the side which beat Hamilton a week ago was in goal where Ryan Esson made his first start of the season after team-mate Dean Brill failed to recover in time from the knee injury he suffered at New Douglas Park.
For Ross County, the need to get a result at their neighbours increased following St Mirren’s win at Partick Thistle last night.
Staggies manager Jim McIntyre made two changes to the side which lost 1-0 at home to Celtic last week with Steven Ross and Graham Carey dropping to the bench. Their places were taken by Liam Boyce and Jackson Irvine.
New County signings Ruben Palazuelos and Rafaele De Vita were named among the substitutes.
The Staggies started brightly at Caledonian Stadium but it was the home side who nearly opened the scoring.
County goalkeeper Antonio Reguero was called into action to palm away Greg Tansey’s inswinging corner before Martin Woods scrambled the ball clear.
In what was a scrappy first half of few chances, County should have taken their best opportunity when Marcus Fraser crossed to the unmarked Tony Dingwall at the back post. Dingwall took a touch before firing towards goal but Esson blocked his shot on the line with his feet.
The Staggies were left regretting their missed chance as the home side took the lead when Tansey’s pass released Watkins and he cut inside before curling the ball past Reguero to make it 1-0 to Caley Thistle.
It should have been 2-0 early in the second half when Watkins crossed for Danny Williams but a terrific blocking challenge from Marcus Fraser denied the Inverness midfielder from 10 yards.
Warren went even closer as Inverness increased the pressure towards the County goal and it required a goal line clearance from Jamie Reckord to stop his header from doubling the home side’s lead.
But having weathered the storm County managed to draw level, albeit with a helping hand from their opponents.
Martin Woods whipped in a terrific cross from the right and Warren, under pressure from County substitute Jake Jervis, diverted the ball past Esson to make it 1-1.