ICT earn point at Hibs
Referee: S. Mclean.
CALEY THISTLE - Esson; Piermayr, G. Shinnie, Golobart, Gillet, Foran, Hayes, Davis, McKay (Doran, 75), Cox (Tansey, 73), Tade. Subs unused: Ross, Morrison, Sutherland, Meekings, Tuffey. Booked: Golobart.
HIBERNIAN - Stack; Booth, O'Hanlon, Wotherspoon, O'Connor, Galbraith, Stevenson, Sproule (Murray, 82), Stephens, Towell (Palsson, 75), Griffiths (Scott, 63). Subs unused: Murray, Sodje, Welsh, Stanton. Booked: Stephens, O'Connor.
David Davis did have a long range effort saved by Graham Stack in injury-time, while at the other end Foran blocked a goalbound header from Sean O'Hanlon, but there was to be no further scoring.
The second half was largely a more subdued affair with Caley Thistle posing a threat, but being unable to find that killer pass, while Hibs looked every bit a team short on confidence.
Leaving a host of green and white shirts trailing in his wake, the Irishman was 40 yards from goal when he collected the ball, surged inside from the right wing and charged forward 20 yards before unleashing a low effort that found the bottom corner.
Hayes may have been off target with that shot, but he more than made amends with a wonderful equaliser four minutes before the interval.
Moments later, Foran struck the upright from 16 yards and as Hibs struggled to clear their lines, Jonny Hayes took up possession only to bend an effort a yard wide from an acute angle.
Richie Foran firstly gave Billy McKay a glimpse of goal, but David Stephens recovered the situation to make the block.
The early setback stung Caley Thistle into action and they had three chances to draw level in a lively two minute spell.
Roman Golobart was adjudged to have felled Leigh Griffiths 20 yards from goal and from the resultant free-kick Garry O'Connor curled a beauty beyond the reach of Ryan Esson and into the top corner.
Hibs went into this match on the back of a four-game losing run, yet they were given a timely shot in the arm with just eight minutes played.
On a blustery night, Inverness had the first notable chance when a raking pass from Thomas Piermayr almost found Gregory Tade, but the home defence recovered to clear the danger.
Both Ross Tokely and Andrew Shinnie had failed to recover from their respective calf problems, but Josh Meekings was amongst the substitutes after returning from injury.
Manager Terry Butcher kept faith with the same starting line-up that had overcome Aberdeen 2-1 at home only four days previous.
CALEY Thistle came from behind to take home a point from their clash with Hibernian in the Scottish Capital.
