Match Report

For the second time in three weeks, Inverness Caley Thistle and Hamilton Accies played out a 1-1 draw, despite the visiting side playing the final 23 minutes off the match with only ten men.

With both teams looking to further strengthen their SPL survival hopes following results yesterday, a close game was anticipated, but it was Inverness who bossed the first half in terms of chances.

Barely a minute had gone when Filipe Morais dug out a cross that Richie Foran directed goalwards with his head, only to see the ball drift narrowly wide of the upright.

The game then descended into something of a lull in proceedings, but the supporters were finally woken from their slumbers after 19 minutes with Dougie Imrie failing to properly connect with Roy McBain's cross, before Foran's attempted volley was deflected on to the roof of the net.

Three minutes later, Morais' trickery gave him a yard inside the box and he promptly unleashed a stinging volley that Tomas Cerny blocked with his legs.

It was now all Caley Thistle and on 29 minutes only a magnificent save from Hamilton's Czech goalkeeper once more prevented Morais from giving the hosts a deserved lead.

Accies had barely caused Inverness stopper Michael Fraser any problems, but they almost went in at the interval with the lead. A free-kick allowed Richard Offiong a rare sight of goal and his low effort from 25 yards whistled inches past the post.

If the first half had produced very few goalscoring opportunities, then that all changed two minutes after the interval.

Fraser's long free-kick was flicked on by Imrie to Morais, who in turn hooked the ball over the top for Foran to run on to and he let the ball bounce once before smashing it past a flailing Cerny from ten yards.

Accies' response was muted, but on 63 minutes they drew level. After Fraser had tipped over Offiong's header, Brian Easton swung in the corner that was headed home by former Ross County defender Martin Canning, despite the best efforts of Ian Black to keep it from crossing the line.

The visitors, however, were forced to play the final 23 minutes with ten men when James McArthur's strong challenge on Morais was penalised by referee Charlie Richmond, who then proceeded to show the Accies midfielder a straight red card.

Inverness huffed and puffed in their attempts to find a winner, but it was Hamilton who could have taken the lead eight minutes from time. Lionel Djebi-Zadi gave away possession and Alex Neil's first-time pass forward sent Offiong sprinting clear, only to send the ball narrowly wide of goal from just inside the box.

The hosts continued to force the issue and deep into injury-time Imrie's volley was scrambled to safety by Cerny, as Accies managed to hold out for a share of the points and make sure they finished the season unbeaten against the Highland Capital club.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides