Inverness extended their unbeaten run to nine matches in the Bank of Scotland Premier League after a spirited performance held Aberdeen to their third goalless draw in their last four matches.

The Dons should have taken the lead in the 74th minute when Barry Nicholson was played through on goal by John Stewart, but the midfielder flicked his shot past the post from 10 yards out.

Inverness responded by nearly snatching a winner six minutes from time, but substitute Dennis Wyness saw his drive from an acute angle saved by Jamie Langfield.

The first chance of an evenly-contested opening to the match finally arrived in the 11th minute when Barry Wilson swung a deep cross into the Aberdeen penalty box which was cushioned by Craig Brewster into the path of strike-partner Rory McAllister.

The 18-year-old then played a first-time pass back to his player-manager who sliced a left-footed effort wide of goal.

Wilson, who has been the architect of many of Caley's finer moments this season then tried his luck from 30 yards when nobody in the home side deemed it necessary to close the right-midfielder down. However, the 33-year-old's powerful drive curled just wide of Langfield's right-hand post.

The Dons were becoming increasingly frustrated at their inability to break down a compact Caley outfit and their simmering anger became apparent when Gary Dempsey needlessly scythed down Russell Duncan on the right-hand touchline after being outwitted by a neat shimmy from his opponent.

However, Aberdeen then composed themselves to create their best chance of the half when Steve Lovell set-up Stewart after flicking on a Kevin McNaughton free-kick.

Stewart had a clear sight of goal from the edge of the Caley penalty area, but disappointingly dragged a half-volley well wide of goal.

The game had gradually developed into a more open spectacle and Inverness then missed a fine opportunity to end the stalemate when Ross Tokely's cross reached Brewster at the far post thanks to a touch from McAllister.

But the ball bounced too high for the 39-year-old to get a clear shot on goal and under pressure from Langfield, the former Dunfermline forward struck the ball down into the turf and just past the post.

Darren Mackie was introduced by Jimmy Calderwood during the interval and the 23-year-old immediately showed how much of a handful he can be when he surged past Darren Dods on the edge of the box, forcing the Caley captain into a clumsy challenge and the concession of a free-kick.

Jamie Smith decided to shoot direct at goal from the set-piece and despite taking a slight deflection off the wall, Mark Brown made a good save at full stretch.

Aberdeen were slowly starting to exert more influence on proceedings and they came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 64th minute when Smith's free-kick found its way to Gary Dempsey who was lurking at the edge of the area.

He blasted a drive towards goal that looked to have the beating of Brown, until the head of Grant Munro diverted the ball over the crossbar.

Despite being largely anonymous for the previous 74 minutes, Nicholson found himself clear through on goal thanks to a pass from Stewart, but as the former Dunfermline midfielder surged towards the exposed Brown, he flicked a right-footed effort wide of the far post.

However, Inverness created the best chance of the closing stages when Brewster set-up Wyness with only six minutes remaining.

The on-loan Hearts striker fired a shot across goal from the tightest of angles, but Langfield managed to deflect wide with his trailing leg and the Dons had to be content with yet another stalemate.

Teams

Aberdeen Langfield, Nicholson, Anderson, McNaughton, Byrne, Smith, Dempsey (Foster 77), Clark, Muirhead (Mackie 45), Stewart, Lovell (Crawford 75).

Subs Not Used: Esson, Winter, Macauley.

Inverness CT Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings, Wilson, McBain, Black, McAllister (Wyness 80), Brewster, Duncan.

Subs Not Used: Fraser, Golabek, McCaffrey, Bayne, Proctor, Fox.

Booked: Munro.

Att: 12,266

Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).