Inverness CT 1 Kelty Hearts 1

ROSS CUNNINGHAM netted his eighth goal of the season as Kelty Hearts returned from their first-ever trip to Inverness Caledonian Thistle with a point.

The 26-year-old's excellent free-kick cancelled out Luis Longstaff's opener for the financially-stricken hosts, with the teams sharing the spoils for a second time this season in League One.

The Highlanders were playing their second match since being placed in the hands of administrators last month, and their first at home, which saw them docked 15 points by the SPFL.

Duncan Ferguson, who was their head coach when they drew 0-0 at New Central Park in August, subsequently left the club, alongside assistant, and ex-Cowdenbeath manager, Gary Bollan, and goalkeeping coach, Stuart Garden, and four players.

The Caley Jags sat bottom, on minus three points, whilst Michael Tidser's Kelty were looking to end a three-match losing streak in all competitions.

There was a welcome return to the starting line-up for player / manager Tidser, who had missed his team's last three outings with a calf issue, whilst Tam O'Ware returned from a suspension that kept him out of the previous week's defeat at Stenhousemuir.

Callum Flatman and Scott Williamson dropped to the bench, which also featured a trialist, for the visitors, who got off to a nightmare start just four minutes in.

Luis Longstaff's corner from the right caused problems and, although O'Ware got a foot onto it to clear, it fell back into the set-piece taker's path, who curled a low shot into the far corner of the net.

Kelty responded well, however, with Cunningham having a shot blocked behind, before sending another effort off-target, and it was he who would pull his side level.

Luke McCarvel pounced on a misplaced pass from Inverness skipper, Danny Devine, and drove forward from midfield before being taken down outside the area by Connal Ewan.

The home player was booked for the foul and, from the free-kick, Cunningham stepped up to curl a beauty beyond the helpless Musa Dibaga in goal, his eighth goal of the season so far.

Kelty were testing their opponents with dangerous deliveries into the box, and a Brody Paterson ball across the six-yard area, after being found by a fine Tidser pass, just needed a touch to put them ahead.

Veteran forward Billy McKay, who is assisting Inverness head coach, Scott Kellacher, sent a drive into the arms of Ruairidh Adams from range, before Cunningham tried his luck again from distance, but sent the ball over the bar.

Craig Johnston was inches away from connecting with another fine Paterson delivery from a wide area but, before the break, Devine was close to regaining the lead for Inverness when he struck the post from around 12 yards out.

Adams then produced a smart stop to deny Keith Bray, and he was also needed to deny Paul Allan after the break.

Scott Mercer and Tidser both had efforts saved by Dibaga, whilst McKay and Bray both sent efforts off target for the hosts as both teams went in search of a winner.

In stoppage time, Ethan Cairns was denied by Adams as Kelty collected a point leaving them sixth in the League One table, but just four points behind leaders, Cove Rangers, and second-placed Alloa Athletic.