Dennis Wyness scored a dramatic equaliser two minutes from time as Inverness fought back from conceding two goals in the opening 10 minutes to secure a hard-fought draw against Dunfermline.

The Pars opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Noel Hunt headed a Scott Muirhead corner past Mark Brown, before Mark Burchill doubled their advantage two minutes later with a soaring drive from 10 yards.

Craig Dargo pulled a goal back for Inverness in the 81st minute after Scott Wilson and Yannick Zambernardi fouled Dennis Wyness, before the on-loan Hearts striker levelled the match right at the death.

Dunfermline may have failed to defeat Inverness since the Highlanders were promoted to the top-flight two seasons ago, but the Pars could not have made a better start to the match as they quickly raced into a two-goal lead.

The opener arrived when Muirhead whipped a tantalising corner into the Caley Thistle penalty area from the left flank and Hunt powered his header past Brown from six yards.

Then, two minutes later, Burchill collected a headed flick from Hunt, who capitalised on a mistake by Stuart McCaffrey before firing a shot past the stranded Brown high into the top left-hand corner.

The visitors almost went three goals down in the 20th minute when Muirhead fed the ball to Darren Young who immediately smashed a right-footed effort of the top of Brown's left-hand post.

The lively Hunt collected the rebound, but despite directing his first-time shot into the bottom corner of the net, assistant referee Tommy Johnston adjudged the Dunfermline forward had strayed into an offside position and the goal was ruled out.

Inverness finally mustered a shot in the 26th minute and they could hardly have come closer to pulling back a goal.

Barry Wilson chipped a free-kick over the wall which struck the top of Bryn Halliwell's crossbar before bouncing over the roof of the net to safety.

Just as the Pars started the first half in positive fashion, they also began the second period firmly on the front foot and were only denied a third goal in the 51st minute by a last-ditch clearance from Liam Fox.

Andy Campbell's corner was helped across goal by Simon Donnelly and although Burchill's subsequent header from eight yards arced over Inverness goalkeeper Brown, Fox was stationed on the goal line to make a crucial intervention, driving the ball away from danger.

That was to prove a turning point for Inverness.

The combination of Wilson and Zambernardi hauled down Wyness, allowing Dargo the opportunity to score from the spot.

With only two minutes remaining Richie Hart fed Wyness with an intelligent pass and the striker unleashed a volley which crashed off Halliwell's left-hand post before rolling into the net to secure a remarkable draw for the Highlanders.

Teams

Dunfermline Halliwell, McCunnie, Shields, Scott Wilson,Zambernardi, Donnelly (Simmons 59), Mason, Darren Young,Muirhead (Andy Campbell 35), Hunt, Burchill (Thomson 84).

Subs Not Used: Paterson, Phinn, Craig Wilson, Iain Campbell.

Booked: Simmons.

Goals: Hunt 9, Burchill 11.

Inverness CT Brown, Tokely, Dods, McCaffrey, Golabek, Wilson,Duncan, Hastings (Hart 64), McBain (Fox 27), Dargo,Bayne (Wyness 64).

Subs Not Used: Fraser, Proctor, Morgan, McAllister.

Booked: McCaffrey, Fox, Golabek.

Goals: Dargo 81 pen, Wyness 88.

Att: 3,354

Ref: B Winter (Scotland).