Inverness Caledonian Thistle again proved to be the bogey team for Rangers when their 10 men came from behind to snatch a draw at Ibrox in the Bank of Scotland Premier League.

The Highlands side have now taken seven points from Rangers this season, following two wins earlier in the campaign.

Rangers should have cruised to victory this time when Charlie Adam netted after just 14 minutes, after Caley Thistle's Darren Dods was red-carded.

However, the home side failed to take advantage of the extra man and they were left rueing missed opportunities when Craig Dargo grabbed the equaliser with eight minutes to go.

Home boss Walter Smith kept the faith with the same 11 players who defeated Aberdeen in their last game, while Inverness manager Charlie Christie made four changes.

Their last outing ended in a 3-1 defeat to bottom side Dunfermline and Stuart McCaffrey, Barry Wilson and Gary McSwegan were all relegated to the bench, with Ian Black suspended.

In came Dargo - making his first start since January 21 - Richie Hart, Grant Munro and John Rankin.

It was the home side who looked the more dangerous team from the outset, with Barry Ferguson testing the Highlanders' resolve in the opening minutes.

He pounced on a Dado Prso ball into the box but was denied the opener by Caley Thistle goalkeeper Michael Fraser, who stood tall to block the point-blank effort.

Prso then went to ground under pressure from Munro but Rangers' penalty claims were ignored by referee William Collum.

However, the official did have a part to play in the opening goal when he brandished a straight red card for Dods' last-man challenge on Kris Boyd.

While the Inverness skipper trudged off, Adam lined up the free-kick and left Fraser with no chance with a swerving effort from 25 yards with 14 minutes gone.

The sending-off prompted Inverness to make their first change after 20 minutes, Markus Paatelainen sacrificed for centre-half McCaffrey.

However, the Caley Thistle defence were soon under pressure again when a long ball into the box fell to Ian Murray and he was not too far away with a curling shot which dipped just over the crossbar.

Boyd then had a go with a drive from 30 yards, which sneaked an inch past the post, although Fraser appeared to have the ball covered.

Rangers should have been further ahead by the break and Boyd had the opportunity to make amends shortly after the restart.

He raced into the box after meeting a long ball down the left flank from Murray, only to rifle harmlessly into the side-netting.

Alan Hutton then whipped a dangerous delivery into the box but Prso's header was well off target and failed to trouble the Inverness goalkeeper.

Boyd then looked certain to leave the net bulging when the ball fell to him inside the six-yard box, but Fraser somehow managed to block to keep the scoreline down.

Rangers were in need of another goal to kill the game off but it did not look like coming from Boyd, who squandered another chance when he fired over from eight yards.

Instead, Inverness went close when Russell Duncan's quick free-kick was only just palmed to safety by Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Barry Wilson - who had replaced Hart - then saw his speculative drive whistle just over the crossbar, as the visitors pushed for an equaliser.

Rangers failed to heed the warning signs and Caley Thistle silenced most of Ibrox after 82 minutes when Graham Bayne's cut-back at the back post was met by Dargo, who bundled home from close range.

Teams:

Rangers McGregor, Hutton, Weir, Papac, Murray,Novo (Burke 67), Ferguson, Hemdani, Adam, Boyd, Prso (Sebo 81).

Subs Not Used: Robinson, Thomson, Ehiogu, McMillan, Shinnie.

Booked: Novo, Adam.

Goals: Adam 15.

Inverness CT Fraser, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Duncan,Rankin, Hart (Wilson 73), Paatelainen (McCaffrey 21),Dargo (McSwegan 90), Bayne.

Subs Not Used: Ridgers, Soane, Sutherland, McAllister.

Sent Off: Dods (14).

Booked: Wilson.

Goals: Dargo 82.

Att: 50,278

Ref: W Collum (Scotland).