Dundee 1 - 1 Inverness
Striker Kane Hemmings celebrated his 20th goal of the season as Dundee came from behind to hold Inverness 1-1 at Dens Park.
Striker Kane Hemmings celebrated his 20th goal of the season as Dundee came from behind to hold Inverness 1-1 at Dens Park.
Inverness had Ross Draper to thank for a 13th-minute opener which looked set to carry them above Dundee in the Premiership table.
But Hemmings continued his rich vein of form by scoring with just four minutes left as Paul Hartley's side secured a morale-boosting draw ahead of their trip to face Celtic in midweek, followed by next weekend's Scottish Cup quarter-final clash with Rangers at Ibrox.
Dundee kept the side which had beaten Dumbarton 5-0 in their Scottish Cup fifth-round replay earlier in the week.
They were aiming to end a long winless run in matches against Inverness. The visitors, in turn, knew victory would move them above their Tayside rivals.
The Highlanders made the brighter start and it was no surprise when they went ahead.
Draper evaded the Dundee offside trap and met Liam Polworth's pass, rounding Scott Bain to slot into the net.
Dundee looked out of sorts until midway through the first half when Greg Stewart tried a shot from long distance which went just inches wide.
There was controversy after 26 minutes. Inverness full-back Carl Tremarco was lucky to stay on the pitch after challenging Stewart from behind, and then wrestled him to the ground where he lashed out at him.
But referee Andrew Dallas decided only to show Tremarco a yellow card while also cautioning Stewart for his part in the flare-up.
Dundee had a chance to level after 48 minutes as Stewart met Gary Harkins' pass inside the box but could only slip his shot wide.
Then, two minutes later, Hemmings beat two Inverness defenders only to fire his shot right at Owain Fon Williams.
On the hour mark, Dundee went close again when Stewart released Rory Loy whose low shot was saved by the legs of Fon Williams.
Craig Wighton replaced Loy after 64 minutes as Dundee chased an equaliser and they had a golden opportunity to level six minutes later.
With more time than he thought, Hemmings hit a volley from Harkins' cross but it went well wide from close range.
It got worse for the hosts after 80 minutes when Stewart found himself clean through but contrived to shoot right at the advancing Fon Williams.
However, just when the points looked lost Hemmings popped up to stab home Harkins' headed knock-down from Stewart's inswinging corner for the 86th-minute leveller.