Substitute Markus Paatelainen came off the bench to rescue a deserved draw for Inverness in a tight Clydesdale Bank Premier League game where Dundee United looked set to steal all three points.

Prince Buaben had given United a 68th-minute lead when the midfielder benefited from a strong run and cross by Noel Hunt, who had replaced Mark de Vries during the interval.

But Inverness made sure all their hard work was not in vain when Roy McBain's cross found Paatelainen via a touch from Graham Bayne and the Finn provided a fine finish.

Inverness started in sprightly fashion with Don Cowie causing serious concern in the visiting defence as his right-footed shot flashed just wide.

Caley Thistle continued to ask questions of their opponents and in the 14th minute Dougie Imrie called for referee Stephen Finnie to award a penalty.

The recent signing from Clyde, making his home debut, believed Garry Kenneth had handled the ball.

However, a favourable decision for the hosts was not forthcoming.

United took until the 26th minute before they seriously tested Michael Fraser, with the Inverness goalkeeper able to make a comfortable save from Buaben's ambitious half-volley.

The home side's most purposeful player during the opening period continued to be Cowie, in particular when the former Ross County player made darting runs forward from his midfield berth.

One such surge saw Cowie collect a neat pass from Ross Tokely, prior to directing a drive straight into the grasp of Lukasz Zaluska.

A fairly lifeless opening period came to a close with Buaben seeing a low shot well held by Fraser, while Inverness thought they should have been awarded a free-kick on the edge of the United penalty area following Danny Grainger's foul on Marius Niculae.

Referee Finnie played advantage though and Ian Black shot harmlessly wide.

United introduced Hunt during the break, but the forward took time to make his mark as the second period started at a similarly slow tempo to that of the first.

On the hour mark Inverness also chose to freshen up their team and following Bayne's introduction at the expense of Niculae, the replacement fed a pass to McBain, whose shot was blocked by Sean Dillon.

It was United, however, that went on to take the lead when Hunt rewarded Tangerines boss Craig Levein's decision to summon the striker from the bench, bursting into the Inverness penalty area and crossing for Buaben to score in simple fashion.

Inverness quickly tried to get back on level terms following that setback, with Bayne's searing shot saved in spectacular fashion by Zaluska.

McBain then should have done better after latching on to a neat pass from Cowie, but under pressure from Lee Wilkie the midfielder's effort was weak and Zaluska made the required stop.

However, the away side's goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent Inverness restoring parity six minutes from time, as another substitute made his presence felt in positive fashion.

McBain's cross appeared to carry off the lunging Bayne and when the ball fell to Paatelainen, he placed it into the roof of the net, only shortly after his introduction at the expense of Black.

Cowie then had a late chance to win the game for Inverness when Zaluska's attempt to clear landed short of its intended target, but his lob was cleared off the line by Kenneth.

Teams:

Inverness CT Fraser, Tokely, McGuire, Munro, Hastings, Cowie, Black (Paatelainen 80), Imrie, Duncan, McBain, Niculae (Bayne 61).

Subs Not Used: Malkowski, Watt, McAllister, Kerr, Vigurs.

Booked: Black.

Goals: Paatelainen 84.

Dundee Utd Zaluska, Dillon, Kenneth, Wilkie, Grainger, Flood (Swanson 58), Kerr, Buaben, Gomis, O'Brien,De Vries (Hunt 46).

Subs Not Used: McLean, Dods, David Robertson, Conway, Odhiambo.

Booked: Kerr.

Goals: Buaben 68.

Att: 4,087

Ref: S Finnie (Scotland).