KELTY HEARTS assistant boss Kevin McDonald believes that Inverness Caledonian Thistle are "probably the best team" they've played so far despite the Highlanders' off-field woes.

Ross Cunningham netted his eighth goal of the season to earn Michael Tidser's team a point at the Caledonian Stadium, ending a run of three successive defeats for the 'Maroon Machine'.

Luis Longstaff had given the financially-stricken hosts an early lead, but Cunningham's excellent free-kick saw the points shared.

"They're a really good team. I'd argue that they're probably the best team we've played so far, in terms of having seen every team," McDonald said.

"I feel like they're one of the better teams. They've got some really good individuals and they try and pass the ball the right way, so we knew it would be a difficult game, and it proved to be that.

"We obviously conceded early. We knew that it would be tough because, obviously, they had their managers trying to rally the crowd and create this underdog story, so we knew the first 15-20 minutes would have been tough.

"But after we got a foothold in the game, I thought we controlled the first half. We were a bit unlucky not to go in 2-1 up maybe, and then the second half was a bit end-to-end.

"I think either team could have won it, but I think a point was probably a fair result."

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.

With Scott Kellacher in charge, with veteran forward, Billy McKay, assisting, Inverness got off to a flier when Longstaff, with four minutes on the clock, saw a corner cleared back into his path before curling 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.

"Obviously, after we scored, I think we were definitely the better team and we had good chances," McDonald added.

"We just didn't really work the goalkeeper enough, although we had a lot of control and a lot of the ball. And then, second half, it was just a bit more like basketball, a bit end-to-end. They had a good chance where they hit the post and we had a good few chances in and around the box, so it was definitely a (1:13) really good game, both teams trying to pass the ball and play the right way.

"I think for a neutral, if you're watching the game, it was definitely one you would have really enjoyed.

"There was some good standard of football and yeah, that point was definitely a fair result."