A goal at each end in stoppage time provided a sensational end to an intriguing cup tie between Inverness and Kilmarnock which also featured a sending off, a disallowed goal and two strikes of the woodwork.

Caley thought they had won it when substitute Barry Robson, who had been on the pitch for only six minutes, capitalised on an error from Gus MacPherson.

But MacPherson had the last laugh when his burst down the right allowed another replacement, Garry Hay, to head an equaliser at the death.

MacPherson was a picture as he sank to his knees to celebrate and Hay had already had an effort ruled out for offside.

Justice was seen to be done as, in fairness, neither side deserved either to win or lose this match.

Davide Xausa was the star of the first half, with his poise on the ball and passing range superior to anything the Premier League side put on show.

But the story of the first half, and practically the only memorable moments, concerned the rattling of the woodwork at either end.

Caley striker Dennis Wyness had been threatening to cause Killie pain and in the 38th minute stabbed a shot weakly at Gordon Marshall after Paul Sheering had put him goal-side of Kevin McGowne.

The number nine did much better with his next effort five minutes later, when a measured sidefoot from the edge of the area had the beating of a fully outstretched Marshall.

It smacked back into play off a post and, with the goal vacant, was despatched over the bar by Roy McBain.

It was an excruciating miss and his embarrassment was saved only by a flag for offside, which may have been a wrong call.

That also seemed to apply to McLaren's superbly curled shot, which was Killie's finest moment of the half.

It arced over Jim Calder in the home goal and bounced down off the underside of the crossbar.

It appeared to have bounced back enough to have crossed the line and McLaren certainly thought so but the referee ruled otherwise.

Killie had to take off McGowne soon after the restart and that meant Holt dropping back for a rare stint inn the centre of defence.

Bobby Williamson's side had been poor in the first half but improved to take control of the match and created plenty of nervous moments for the home side, especially from corners.

But that momentum was lost when McLaren was sent off for having a kick at Sheerin, who had held him back.

Marshall had already saved his side by saving with his legs when Sheerin had put Xausa through on goal.

The 10 men thought they had won it though when their third substitute, Hay, converted a flicked on free kick.

But the flag was up and Killie's celebrations were rudely cut short by the sight of a Caley counter attack in their absence that ended with Sheerin forcing Marshall into another save.

Then came the MacPherson moments giving a glossy sheen to an otherwise lacklustre showing from the top flight side.

If Killie fans were disappointed with their side's showing a look in the history books showed it wasn't their worst in the city.

In February 1985 Killie had been embarrassingly beaten 3-0 by Inverness Thistle, who were then a Highland League club and yet to be merged with neighbours Caledonian to form the present club.

Much has changed in Inverness since then but their reputation as a cup team persists, as Celtic and John Barnes famously found out last season, when they were beaten 3-1 at Parkhead by Steve Paterson's team.

The club is a plc and in its second season in the First Division. And from this showing there was little difference between them and the fourth place SPL club.

Teams:

Inverness CT: Calder, Mann, McCaffrey, Hastings, Pokely, Sheerin, Christie, Bagan (Robson 84), McBain, Xausa, Wyness (Graham 82).

Subs Not Used: Golabek, Bavidge, Fridge.

Booked: Mann.

Goals: Robson 90.

Kilmarnock: Marshall, MacPherson, McGowne (Fowler 50), Holt, Wright (Cocard 62), Baker, Dindeleux, McLaren, Mitchell, Dargo (Hay 79), Canero.

Subs Not Used: Stewart, Reilly.

Sent Off: McLaren (69).

Booked: MacPherson, Mitchell.

Goals: Hay 90.

Att: 5,294

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).