Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo’s late strike earned Scottish Cup holders Caley Thistle a replay with Hibernian in an ill-tempered match that ended 1-1.
James Keatings’ eighth goal of the season had given the Championship side a deserved lead nine minutes after the restart.
But Mutombo came off the bench to equalise with 13 minutes remaining to set up a replay a week on Wednesday at the Caledonian Stadium.
Alan Stubbs’ side were without top scorer Jason Cummings, midfielder Marvin Bartley and defender Paul Hanlon – all through suspension – while Caley Thistle were boosted by the return of their talisman Ross Draper from a ban.
The Inverness side made one change from the team defeated 2-0 by Hearts with Draper replacing Lewis Horner, while Nat Wedderburn, Richie Foran and Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo were fit enough for a place on the bench.
The hosts should have struck the first decisive blow when Liam Henderson’s free kick found the unmarked David Gray but Caley Thistle goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams produced a fine save and then did even better to thwart Liam Fontaine on the rebound.
Caley Thistle survived another let-off in the 14th minute when Fon Williams made another excellent stop to divert Anthony Stokes’ low drive onto the post and James Keatings slotted home the loose ball, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Hibs were dealt an early setback when Dylan McGeouch limped off after only 26 minutes and was replaced by Norwegian defender Niklas Gunnarsson.
But the home side continued to grow in threat as the game wore on with Keatings drawing an unorthodox save from Fon Williams as the holders struggled to get out of their own half.
The major talking point of a feisty, ill-tempered first half was whether Liam Polworth’s mistimed challenge on Henderson was inside the area but referee Crawford Allan decided the infringement was outside the area and the Caley Thistle defence survived the resulting free kick.
Hibernian had another penalty claim after the restart when Danny Devine looked to have handled a Keatings pass but again Allan was unmoved.
The major talking point of a hard-fought first half was whether Liam Polworth’s mistimed challenge on Henderson was inside the area but referee Crawford Allan decided the infringement was outside the area and the Caley Thistle defence survived the resulting free kick.
Hibernian had another penalty claim after the restart when Danny Devine looked to have handled a Keatings pass but again Allan was unmoved.
But Hibs were by far the better side and finally got their reward nine minutes after the break.
It was a well-worked move that culminated with Gray firing the ball into the penalty area for Keatings to sweep home.
On-loan Celtic midfielder Henderson had a great chance to double his side’s lead but sliced his volley high and wide.
Caley Thistle were badly in need of a spark to jolt them into life and Horner and Mutombo were brought on for Polworth and Iain Vigurs in a bid to inject some fresh impetus.
The change paid off instantly.
Horner showed more desire than Lewis Stevenson to cross for Roberts who laid the ball perfectly into the path of Mutombo. The Congolese international took a touch to steady himself before despatching the ball into the roof of the net.
Confidence was suddenly surging through the Inverness side and they almost netted a spectacular second but Danny Williams’ powerful volley was too close to Mark Oxley.
It wasn’t to be but Caley Thistle live to fight another day.