Hibernian 1 Inverness 1
Inverness substitute Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo kept the William Hill Scottish Cup holders in the competition with a late equaliser salvaging a 1-1 draw for his side at Easter Road.
Inverness substitute Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo kept the William Hill Scottish Cup holders in the competition with a late equaliser salvaging a 1-1 draw for his side at Easter Road.
James Keatings had fired Hibernian in front in the 54th minute and the visitors struggled to get back into the game until John Hughes made a double switch.
The two subs, Lewis Horner and Mbuyi-Mutombo, soon combined to level in the 77th minute and set up a quarter-final replay that will take place three days after Hibs face Ross County in the League Cup final next Sunday.
Hibs started like a team that had lost three consecutive games as Inverness piled on the pressure from a series of corners.
The hosts looked in some disarray as Liam Polworth ran straight into their penalty area from his right wing-back position but elected not to shoot.
The visiting fans were shouting ole'' at every pass but Hibs should have scored in the ninth minute.
The unmarked David Gray headed straight at Owain Fon Williams from John McGinn's free-kick and Liam Fontaine somehow hit the grounded goalkeeper with his follow-up from three yards before Caley Thistle cleared following a frantic scramble.
Hibs had the ball in the net four minutes later. Anthony Stokes showed good skill in the box and fired a shot that bounced off the far post and straight to Keatings, but the flag went up as he tapped home from two yards. Replays showed he was half a yard off.
Hibs began to edge possession and territory but Inverness were competing heartily as tackles flew in from both sets of players.
Caley Thistle were trying to get Jordan Roberts and Miles Storey away over the top but either over-hitting the balls or falling foul of the offside trap.
Hibs lost Dylan McGeouch to injury before Keatings had long-range shots saved either side of half-time. Hibs then claimed unsuccessfully that Danny Devine had stopped the striker's penalty-box flick reaching Stokes with his hand.
But Caley Thistle had no answer as the pair linked up again moments later. Stokes collected a lay-off from Keatings on the edge of the box and bamboozled two Inverness players with his quick feet before setting up Gray to put the ball in from the right wing.
The Hibs skipper picked out Keatings and the former Hamilton and Hearts man swept home from 10 yards.
The hosts set about trying to double their lead. Liam Henderson sliced high and wide from a decent chance before Stokes just failed to get his head over Keatings' cross.
Hibs looked comfortable but they were undone by former manager Hughes' change.
Right-back Horner, who was released by Hibs after one substitute appearance, chased what appeared to be a lost cause and slid to play the ball into the Hibs penalty area.
Roberts laid it off to Mbuyi-Mutombo who took his time before lashing the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards.
Caley Thistle finished on top and both Storey and Danny Williams threatened.