An 81st minute equaliser by Kjell Olofsson gave Dundee United the chance to head north for Wednesday's replay.

Ex-United winger Paul Sheerin had given Thistle a first half lead and they looked like causing a major shock until that late blow.

The visitors can thank man-of-the-match keeper Jim Calder for a series of terrific stops and thoroughly deserve their second chance.

United manager Tommy McLean however has striking problems and the recall of Gary McSwegan - in for Robbie Winters - didn't work, the striker being guilty of a series of misses.

The former Ranger contrived to miss four easy chances and it took Olofsson to save the home side.

For Sheerin this was sweet revenge. He had been rejected by the Tannadice side after a month's trial earlier this season.

Teams

Dundee Utd: Dykstra, Jonsson, Malpas, Pressley, Perry, Pedersen, Olofsson, McKinnon (McLaren 46), McSwegan, Dolan (Marklund 78), Misse-Misse (Skoldmark 83).

Booked: McSwegan.

Goals: Olofsson 81.

Inverness Cal.: Calder, Teasdale, Andersen, McCulloch, Hastings, Cherry, Wilson (Ross 80), Thomson, Stewart (Shearer 66), Robertson, Sheerin.

Subs Not Used: Robson.

Booked: Hastings, Robertson, Shearer.

Goals: Sheerin 27.

Att: 8,770

Ref: J Rowbotham (Kirkcaldy).