Inverness CT1–1Kilmarnock

An exciting match which fully lived up to its pre-match hype. As the 90 minutes approached it was 0-0 and a replay seemed inevitable. A replay will be needed but remarkably two late goals made it 1-1. Caley Thistle took the game to Killie and left the visitors to hit on the break. In 7 minutes a 1-2 with Ross Tokely gave David Bagan a shooting chance but it was a weak effort. Two minutes later Craig Dargo broke free, just onside, but was forced wide left by Tokely and dispossessed. In 25 minutes a Richard Hastings shot was knocked for a corner which was taken by Bagan. Davide Xausa rose to head it goalwards but Gordon Marshall saved well despite a deflection. Xausa shot wildly past in 33 minutes then in 37 minutes Dennis Wyness took a lob from Paul Sheerin first time but hit it at Marshall from 15 yards. Three minutes from the break Dennis Wyness hit it off the post from 18 yards and Roy McBain scooped over from 6 yards with the goal vacant. His blushes were spared when offside was given. Right on the whistle Andy McLaren took a Dargo cut-back and hit the Caley Thistle bar from just outside the box. The majority thought that it then bounced over the line and the video replay confirmed it was in by at least a yard. The home side were greatly relieved when the referee and his stand-side assistant decided otherwise. The home sides pressure continued in the second half but the Killie defence held on well. Man-of-the-match Paul Sheerin tortured the Killie defence and in 63 minutes a typical Sheerin run took him into the box where he set up Wyness - his well-hit first time shot was saved by Marshall. Four minutes later Sheerin magically flicked the ball over his head to beat two defenders then found Xausa on the right, he shot low, seemingly through Marshall's legs, but it rebounded off the keepers heel. A minute later a Bobby Mann free kick just outside the box went through the wall but was saved. The visitors were then reduced to ten men when Andy McLaren was red carded for an off-the-ball kick at Sheerin. With ten minutes left Gary Hay netted at the back post after a Martin Baker free kick but he was offside. A minute into added time Barry Robson chested down a Gus MacPherson headed clearance then scored with a superb 18 yard half-volley. The home side thought the game was won but were rocked by an equaliser two minutes into injury time. MacPherson crossed from the right bye line, Jim Calder palmed it to the back post and Gary Hay was there to head home. Time was up and they have to do it all again on the 28th February at Rugby Park. It will be hard to keep up this high standard.