INVERNESS CT 2 Tremarco (61), White (85)
ALLOA ATHLETIC 2 Buchanan (5), Trouten (90)
John Robertson blasted his Inverness players for blowing the chance of topping the Championship after the first quarter.
He was furious at the manner in which they let Alloa back into the game after Jordan White’s header put them ahead – and top – with five minutes to go.
From a long throw, Alan Trouten grabbed Alloa a leveller and gained his side a deserved point. But the Wasps remain in the relegation zone.
Robertson, with his side now just a point off the pace after defeats for Dundee United and Ayr, said: “We missed a great opportunity to top the league after the first quarter.
“From having a heavy defeat in the first game at Tannadice, that would have been a remarkable achievement.
“We’re a point off the top but that’s of no consolation whatsoever. A point behind is no good – that’s last season’s mentality.”
A week after Caley Thistle’s 3-0 Challenge Cup win, there was plenty of home expectation for a repeat.
But a bright start by Alloa and early blow for the hosts enabled the Wasps to get behind the ball and frustrate.
A passing move on the right ended with Kevin Cawley playing Liam Buchanan into space. He reacted swiftly to curl an eight-yard finish across to the far right corner of the net with keeper Mark Ridgers helpless.
Just after the hour, the hosts stormed back.
Carl Tremarco took a corner on the right, which was knocked back to him by Shaun Rooney, and then he unleashed a ferocious strike that tore past MacDonald, high into the top corner.
Tremarco produced more magic to create a home lead after 85 minutes. His perfect curling cross found White diving to head home from six yards.
Caley Thistle’s ascent to the top of the table lasted just five minutes.
From a long throw by Adam Brown, Andy Graham’s flick found Trouten side-footing home at the back post.
A James Keatings free-kick struck the bar, but the Highlanders left frustrated.
Alloa manager Peter Grant said: “The boys played really well last week and didn’t get the credit they deserved.
“I’m delighted we got the point today.”