Substitute Steve Lovell struck three minutes into injury time to keep Aberdeen's push to claim second spot in the Bank of Scotland Premier League alive and rob Inverness of a victory they thoroughly deserved.

A cool finish from the edge of the penalty area from John Rankin with only four minutes remaining had looked to have handed the Highlanders their first ever victory over the Dons.

But once again the never-say-die attitude of Jimmy Calderwood's battling side came to the fore as Lovell lobbed the ball over Inverness keeper Mark Brown to earn a crucial point for Aberdeen.

It took until the 11th minute for the first chance to arrive and even then it was not much of an opportunity, as under-pressure from a clutch of Caley Thistle defenders, Barry Nicholson could only direct a half-volley from 18 yards over the crossbar.

For Inverness, Barry Wilson called Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield into action with a low shot from 16 yards which was well pushed away, before Dennis Wyness headed just over following good play from Roy McBain on the right wing.

In the 28th minute Wilson was adamant that he should have been awarded a penalty kick, as confusion reigned in the Dons' defence.

Neither Langfield or Michael Hart took control of the situation, allowing a high ball to bounce dangerously in the box and Wilson nipped in to try and take possession.

As the midfielder advanced past the stranded Dons' keeper he fell to the ground having apparently been tripped.

But referee Mike McCurry was unmoved following Wilson's strong protestations and was sure that no infringement had occurred.

Unperturbed by that decision, Graham Bayne came close when he hooked a shot towards goal, forcing Langfield into making a strong parry.

The Dons then suffered a blow just before the break as Craig Brewster - who was making his first start for the Pittodrie club - was forced to leave the play due to an arm injury.

Just as Caley Thistle had a penalty appeal turned away in the first half, Aberdeen were denied a spotkick in the second period when Lee Miller went down in the box under pressure from Grant Munro, but any award would have been very soft.

Rankin then went close with a 30 yard free kick which curled marginally past Langfield's right-hand post, before Bayne should have put the away side into the lead in the 66th minute.

The Dons failed to clear a corner from Rankin and when the ball fell to Bayne in the area, the Inverness striker carelessly lashed a left-footed half-volley over the bar with the top corner beckoning.

But Inverness finally took the lead late in the game as Bayne made up for his miss flicking the ball into the path of Rankin, who steered a cool shot past Langfield from the edge of the area.

To their credit Aberdeen never gave up though and deep into injury time Lovell latched on to a pass from Gary Dempsey to lift a shot over the head of Brown, which gave the Dons a dramatic equaliser.

Aberdeen Langfield, Hart, Anderson, Foster, Nicholson,Severin, Brewster (Considine 45), Clark, Maguire (Dempsey 46),Miller (Lovell 79), Mackie.

Subs Not Used: Soutar, Touzani, Daniel Smith, Donald.

Booked: Lovell.

Goals: Lovell 90.

Inverness CT Brown, Tokely, Dods, Munro, Hastings,Wilson (McCaffrey 90), Duncan, McBain, Rankin, Bayne,Wyness (Dargo 81).

Subs Not Used: Fraser, Black, Morgan, Soane, McAllister.

Goals: Rankin 86.

Att: 10,300

Ref: M McCurry (Scotland).