Kilmarnock 2-2 Inverness CT

Don Cowie's free-kick ensured a share of the points

Injury-hit Kilmarnock had to make do with a point as Inverness Caledonian Thistle twice came from behind to level in an exciting Rugby Park encounter.

Aime Koudou opened the scoring after goalkeeper Michael Fraser dropped a Craig Bryson effort against the post.

But Killie defender Ross Ford headed into his own net.

Colin Nish fired the home side back into the lead from 18 yards after the break, but Don Cowie levelled again from a 25-yard free-kick.

Interview: Kilmarnock assistant boss Billy Brown

Interview: Inverness manager Craig Brewster

Kilmarnock's injury crisis was so bad that they could only muster five substitutes and three of them were carrying injuries.

It meant a first start for 19-year-old Iain Flannigan, who lined up in midfield with Scotland Under-21 cap Jamie Hamill.

The Caley Thistle line-up had a familiar look about it, but player-manager Craig Brewster was not even on the bench.

But Killie's depleted side took only 35 seconds to open the scoring.

Willie Gibson's cross was met by Craig Bryson, Fraser could only push the ball against the post and Koudou tapped in from a few yards out.

Caley Thistle had to wait until the 10th minute for their first real effort on goal, but Barry Wilson's shot from 20 yards was off target.

A Flannigan free-kick then caused problems in the visitors' defence as Frazer Wright's shot was blocked.

Aime Koudou (centre) opened the scoring for Kilmarnock

But Caley Thistle drew level in 21 minutes when a punt into the Killie box was headed into his own net by Ford with goalkeeper Alan Combe stranded.

David Lilley missed a great opportunity to put Kilmarnock back in front when he shot over from six yards after a Flannigan corner fell at his feet.

Don Cowie had an effort beat away by Killie goalkeeper Alan Combe and, at the other end, Fraser pulled off a good stop from Craig Bryson.

Lilley came to his side's rescue a couple of minutes before the break when he headed clear a Cowie cross with several Inverness players waiting to pounce.

The impressive Bryson was first to threaten after the break, but his 30-yard drive was held by Fraser.

Combe punched clear after Marius Niculae met a cross from Ross Tokely, who then sent a header into the goalkeeper's arms from 12 yards.

But it was Killie who were back in the lead after 55 minutes, Nish firing home from 18 yards.

Willie Gibson drilled wide from a similar distance as Killie attempted to add to their lead.

Instead, It took Inverness only four minutes to draw level again from Cowie's free-kick from 25 yards after Lilley had fouled Roy McBain.

Combe denied Graham Bayne after the striker met a Russell Duncan cross from 12 yards.

Tokely and Richard Hastings both had attempts to put Inverness in the lead for the first time.

And Killie substitute Ryan Jarvis squandered a late chance by hesitating in front of the Caley Thistle goal.

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Kilmarnock: Combe, Fowler, Wright, Lilley, Ford, Flannigan (Locke 87), Gibson, Bryson, Hamill, Koudou (Jarvis 70), Nish.
Subs Not Used: Rascle, Murray, Noble.

Booked: Lilley.

Goals: Koudou 1, Nish 56.

Inverness CT: Fraser, Tokely, McGuire, McBain, Munro, Cowie, Wilson (Hastings 80), Black, Duncan, Niculae (Bayne 63), Wyness (McDonald 86).
Subs Not Used: Malkowski, Kerr, Vigurs, Proctor.

Goals: Ford 22 og, Cowie 61.

Att: 4,456

Ref: I Brines