premier league
INVERNESS CALEY THISTLE 1
Mckay (25)
KILMARNOCK 1
Boyd (pen, 19)
RICHIE FORAN admits Caley Thistle must rediscover their killer instinct as draws dampen their revival.
The Inverness manager felt his team could have shaded it in a tense battle with Kilmarnock and took positives from moving a point closer to local rivals Ross County.
But the draw – the team’s sixth stalemate in the league in 2017 – left the Highlanders still with only one league win since October as they slipped back to bottom place after Hamilton Accies’ victory.
And Foran stressed: “I’m disappointed. I thought we were the better team for most of the game and we shaded it.
“I’m delighted with the lads’ passion, desire and hunger.
“We’re a point closer to Ross County and a win on Tuesday at Aberdeen gets us right back up there.”
Killie produced their best spell of the first half as they punished slackness from Caley Thistle fullback Brad McKay with the opener after 19 minutes.
Jordan Jones’ trickery on the left beat McKay who mistimed his challenge horrendously just inside the box. Referee Bobby Madden immediately pointed to the spot and Kris Boyd calmly sent Fon Williams the wrong way.
Inverness, though, were level after 25 minutes.
David Raven’s cross from the left rebounded off a body in the box and Billy Mckay, with back to goal 12 yards out, swivelled and fired in off the right hand post.
Towards the break, home midfielder Tansey shifted the ball on to his right foot 25 yards out and drew a spectacular diving save from Woodman.
Kevin McNaughton replaced the toiling Brad McKay at the break for his first action since rupturing his Achilles tendon.
McNaughton’s cross found Cole, supplying Billy McKay 15 yards out and the striker’ s angled
attempt whistled just wide. The home defence were creaking as Killie upped the ante.
A burst of pressure ended with young Jamie McCart making a crucial block as the ball broke to Sean Longstaff.
The rebound veered to Jones but Fon Williams parried his shot behind.
The hosts hit back with McNaughton threading a pass across to Billy Mckay whose snapshot was again saved by Woodman.
At the other end, Fon Williams was just as sharp to deny substitute Kiltie.
Killie caretaker Lee McCulloch blamed “blatant day- dreaming” for his team’s failure to hold on to the lead for more than six minutes.
He said: “On reflection, it is a good point on the road.”