Zero

No goals at the Caledonian Stadium as Inverness and United cancelled each other out on a brisk February night.  Andy Shinnie had the best opportunity to break the deadlock in the second half but he headed straight at the keeper when either side of him would have seen a goal, but it was not to be as Inverness dropped to third with Motherwell beating Celtic to jump into second spot.  It's oh so tight as the league reaches the tickly spot.

Couldn't manage another four goals tonight and the commentators curse struck as we had to settle for a no scoring draw in the end.

Richie Foran recovered sufficiently to make the bench and Josh Meekings replaced the suspended Gary Warren, partnering Daniel Devine at the rear.  Ryan Esson continued in goal with Reguero as standby.

United set out their stall with an attack minded side, probably just as well for them as their defending has been suspect at times.  Michael Gardyne getting a start with Stuart Armstrong on the bench.

Inverness started brightest and pegged United back in the early stages looking for the breakthrough.  For all his height, Owain Tudur-Jones should be an ideal target at set pieces, alas, heading is not his strong point and he wasted a good opportunity meekly heading a Doran corner wide of the keepers left hand post.

United responded and Jon Daly did likewise at the other end as headers seemed to be the preferred method of attack, Billy McKay nodding one direct at Cierzniak from a great position as the play opened out.

Neither side were able to get a foothold in the match as the play went from end to end and defences were mainly on top, but contract boy Andy Shinnie came closest, forcing Cierzniak into a diving save just before half time as he wheeled on the edge of the box and fired a shot low towards the goal, but the keeper was equal to it.

Half Time 1-1

The second period continued in the same theme and I've seen worse nil nil games.  Aaron Doran was teasing and probing at one end and Gary Mackay-Stevens was doing the same at the other end, but poor final balls and good defending thwarted most moves.

Around the hour mark, the cumbersome Jon Daly passed up the Arabs best chance so far, heading over from six yards.  He should have made the keeper work..

United were becoming more prominent and they seemed to gain the upper hand possession wise, but clear chances were at a premium as the play went from end to end.  Esson saved a shot from substitute Armstrong to keep the score blank and the United goalie did likewise from the classy Andy Shinnie, who was at full stretch to turn a ball goalwards. Armstrong blazed a loose ball high over the bar at the other end when he should have done better with the defence struggling to cover him.

It was Shinnie that should have broken the deadlock after some neat play when he strode onto an outswinging cross from Doran, but his diving header was straight down the keepers throat and the chance was wasted.

With twelve minutes remaining, Ryan Esson earned his corn when he grappled with a deflected Rankin shot from close range and eventually pounced on the ball before it squirmed over the line.  Close call!

The long awaited return of Richie Foran was a welcome sight with ten minutes left on the clock and he looked eager to get involved, and he livened the last few minutes up, but it was United who pressed at the death for the goal which would steal the points, but it never came.

Full Time 0-0

A draw was just about right although Inverness did create the better openings, but some woeful shooting and heading kept the score blank.  The only winners from this game were Motherwell who jumped above Inverness into second place after beating Celtic 2-1.

So, it's onward to Dingwall for what has now become a very meaningful game given County's recent surge of form and Inverness' apparent reluctance to kill off games.  Interesting weekend ahead.

tm4tj MotM:- goes to the quality player that is Andy Shinnie.  Not able to get on the scoresheet last night, but his close control was a joy to behold.  Danny Devine was solid at the back as was Josh Meekings and Nick Ross had one of his best games as well, so onwards to Dingwall and it's all to play for.

27th Feb 2013	Scottish Premier League	Tulloch Caledonian Stadium
Inverness C.T.	0 -
	TEAM: Esson, Raven, G Shinnie, Devine, Meekings, Doran, Draper, Tudur-Jones, Ross (Sutherland 80), A Shinnie, McKay (Foran 80)
	SUBS: Reguero, Laing, Polworth, Pepper, Taylor
	Booked: Meekings (16)
	Sent Off: none
Dundee Utd	0 -
	TEAM: Cierzniak, Watson, Douglas, Dillon, McLean, Gardyne, Flood, Rankin, Mackay-Steven, Daly, Russell (Armstrong 38)
	SUBS: Banks, Ryan, Millar, Dow, Thomson, Souttar
	Booked: Flood (68)
	Sent Off: none
Referee	Brian Colvin
Attendance	3413