A late goal from Brian Graham extended Caley Thistle’s winless sequence in the Scottish Premiership to nine matches after they were held to a 1-1 draw at St Johnstone.
Aaron Doran’s sublime finish 10 minutes after the break looked to have been enough to win a scrappy encounter but Graham headed home eight minutes from time to earn his side a share of the spoils.
John Hughes’ side ended the match with only 10 men after David Raven was sent off in the dying embers for a second bookable offence.
The Caley Jags made two alterations to the team that lost 2-1 against Aberdeen with Aaron Doran and James Vincent stepping in for Nick Ross and Ryan Christie.
Inverness were without a win in the league since beating bottom of the table St Mirren on Valentine’s Day.
St Johnstone, in contrast, had won five of their previous nine matches in the Scottish Premiership and made a very bright start.
They almost opened the scoring in spectacular style when former Dundee United midfielder Danny Swanson rattled the crossbar with a blistering effort from 20 yards with Ryan Esson well beaten.
Inverness grew into the match as the half wore on with Doran curling high and wide before Vincent stung the palms of Alan Mannus with a powerful effort.
The Perth Saints went close when the lively Swanson fed Michael O’Halloran but the former Bolton forward lashed wildly over.
Danny Williams drew a smart save from Northern Ireland international Mannus as a rather fiery first period came to an end.
The hosts should have made the breakthrough within three minutes of the restart but O’Halloran was again guilty of a lack of composure as he fired over from only three yards out after fine wing play from David Wotherspoon.
A goal finally arrived and it was Inverness who netted against the run of play.
David Raven, awarded a new one year deal earlier this week, sent a delicious cross into the area that was steered into the path of Doran by Watkins and the Irishman slammed the ball into the net with the aid of the crossbar.
However the Saints restored parity eight minutes from time when substitute Graham headed home a perfect Tam Scobbie cross.
Things went from bad to worse for Inverness when Raven was sent off for a second bookable offence following a foul on Swanson but Hughes’ side held on for a point.