Dundee United produced a brave, battling performance to keep themselves in the hunt for European football next season, securing a priceless point against Inverness.
The result came despite the fact the Tangerines had to play with just 10 men for over 80 minutes following an early red card for keeper Michal Szromnik.
The game was a tetchy affair with eight yellow cards shown and Inverness also being reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Gary Warren was dismissed.
Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara made two changes to the starting XI who disappointed in defeat against St Johnstone at the weekend with Aidan Connolly and Chris Erskine coming in for John Rankin and Henri Anier.
Inverness rolled up in the City of Discovery with confidence sky high on the back of a nine-game unbeaten run, with their last defeat coming all the way back on December 28 against Aberdeen.
United had generously reduced admission prices for the game to just a fiver, and a decent crowd took advantage of the offer, spurning the alternative attraction of live last 16 Champions League action between Manchester City and Barcelona on terrestrial TV at the same time.
The match with Inverness was originally due to be played last month but was called off because of a frozen Tannadice pitch.
However, the temperature was at boiling point right from the start of this match with Inverness’s David Raven shown a yellow card just 13 seconds after kick-off following a crude challenge on Ryan Dow.
Disaster then struck for United shortly after when ICT skipper Graeme Shinnie played a great ball in behind the home defence for Marley Watkins who raced through on goal from an onside position before being brought down by Szromnik inside his penalty area.
Referee Calum Murray had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and flashing a red card at the young goalie.
Cierzniak came on for Erskine but the keeper’s first task was to pick the ball out of the back of his net after Greg Tansey sent him the wrong way with his spot-kick in the ninth minute.
Moments later, Inverness were in on goal once again when Nick Ross played a pass to Watkins who rounded Cierzniak but he could not capitalise as Ryan McGowan raced back to snuff out the danger.
United then had a great opportunity of their own when Dow hit an angled drive from the right of the Caley penalty area but it flashed just inches wide of Ryan Esson’s far post.
In the 28th minute, Dow had another chance to equalise for 10-man United when he was played in by a Nadir Ciftci back heel but his shot was easily saved by Esson.
Ciftci then had a pop at goal himself with a free-kick from 20 yards following a foul on Dow but his effort sailed straight through to the Inverness keeper.
It was Caley’s turn to threaten next through Raven but Paul Dixon made a vital block as the ICT full-back pulled the trigger.
Then in the 34th minute, the Tangerines had a big let-off when Warren headed over at a Ryan Christie corner when he should have at least hit the target.
However, United headed back down the tunnel at half-time still very much in the game having restricted a dangerous Inverness side to that solitary counter.
Just seconds after the restart, Inverness could and possibly should have been reduced to 10 men themselves when Raven chopped down Paul Dixon, however Mr Murray kept his cards in his pocket, to the anger of the United players and support.
The home side had a chance in the 56th minute when Connolly threaded a pass behind the Inverness defence to Dow who raced through on goal but Esson came out to block his shot.
United continued to probe while Inverness struggled to capitalise on their one-man advantage.
In the 69th minute, Ross Draper tried an ambitious shot from all of 25 yards but the ball sailed harmlessly over Cierzniak’s bar.
Connolly then tried his luck from even further out but his shot flew high and wide.
However, United sensationally equalised in the 74th minute. A corner was cleared by Inverness but only to home skipper Sean Dillon who played the ball back in to McGowan just inside the ICT box.
He looked off balance but swung a leg with his shot hitting into the ground and up and over Esson.
Moments later, Ciftci shot from the edge of the Caley penalty area with Esson having to make a great save to keep his effort out.
Inverness looked to hit back straight away with Jarek Fojut having to clear off his line from a Danny Williams effort.
McNamara though was definitely going for the win, bringing on strikers Robbie Muirhead and Henri Anier.
However, it was Inverness who came close to snatching a winner in the 86th minute when Tansey hit a spectacular free-kick from 30 yards which Cierzniak acrobatically saved, turning away for a corner.
Then Inverness were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Warren was shown a straight red for an off-the-ball incident, appearing to elbow Ciftci.
Attendance 7276.
Dundee United Szromnik, Dillon, McGowan, Fojut, Dixon, Paton, Butcher (Anier, 84), Connolly (Muirhead, 77), Dow, Erskine (Cierzniak, 7), Ciftci.
Subs not used Souttar, Rankin, Telfer, Spittal.
Inverness Esson, Raven, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Draper, Ross, Watkins, Tansey, Williams, Christie.
Subs not used MacKay, Horner, Tremarco, Polworth, Sutherland, Ferguson.
Referee Calum Murray.