Caley Thistle and Arbroath couldn’t be split once more as the sides had to settle for a 1-1 Championship draw at the Caledonian Stadium.
This result should come as little surprise and it sees ICT slip to fifth spot against their basement opponents, but they remain just three points away from leaders Ayr United.
The point was enough to lift the visitors off the foot of the table, above Hamilton on goal difference.
Not only was the game at Gayfield in August a goalless affair, two play-off games and a regular league meeting last season also ended 0-0, although ICT won that play-off on penalties before losing to St Johnstone.
It means the Caley Jags have not won since defeating Cove Rangers on October 15, with a defeat against Hamilton and a draw against Raith Rovers followed by a 4-0 reversal at Morton last Friday.
Nathan Shaw grabbed the first goal just after the interval, but a mistake led Kieran Shanks to level the contest.
Injuries are still limiting home manager Billy Dodds’ options, with defender Robbie Deas’ recent broken shin adding to the numbers.
Dodds made two changes, with Cammy MacKay replacing Mark Ridgers and Shaw coming in for Scott Boyd.
Arbroath manager Dick Campbell, whose side slid back to bottom spot last week after losing 2-0 at Ayr United, made just one changes to his team, with Scott Bitsindou dropping out for Shanks.
The game took a while to click into gear, with too many stray passes letting both sides down.
The first chance of note came the way of the hosts as Cammy Harper’s low drive from outside the box was touched wide by goalkeeper Derek Gaston.
Then, on 20 minutes, a neat exchange of passes from ICT finished with Gaston saving a shot from Billy Mckay.
At the other end, Michael McKenna crashed a swerving shot off the left post after he was lined up by Dylan Tait.
George Oakley was in the thick of the action for Caley Thistle and he cleverly teed up Aaron Doran, whose shot had too much height to test Gaston.
The Highlanders were having the best of it and Mckay was unlucky when his header was dealt with by Gaston after Dave Carson supplied the cross.
The last chance of the first half brought Cammy Mackay into action as he clutched a long-ranger from Tait.
Just three minutes after the restart, a hooked pass from Shaw was ideally-placed for Billy Mckay, but his header was gathered by Gaston.
However, the goal did arrive on 52 minutes when ICT winger Shaw darted in to divert a a Billy Mckay effort from close range.
Harper almost doubled their advantage when he glanced a header on target, but Gaston was equal to it.
Arbroath were back on level terms though on the hour mark when a misjudged Carson header gave Shank the opportunity to run in and score with a low drive.
ICT were knocking at the door, but Gaston pulled off another fine stop with 20 minutes to go, denying Billy Mckay once more.
Mckay then squandered a chance to get Inverness in front again when he rounded Gaston, but fired his shot into the side-netting, with Oakley waiting in the box frustrated by his team-mate’s decision.
Cammy Mackay ensured no further damage for the home team when he tipped a net-bound effort from sub Daniel Fosu.
There was one more chance for Arbroath and it came for Tait, but he had too much height on his shot as the ball flew into the South Stand.
Next Saturday, ICT lock horns with Queen’s Park in a 5.30pm kick-off at Stenhousemuir, while Arbroath welcome Cove Rangers to Gayfield.
Caley Thistle (4-4-1-1) – Mackay 6, Duffy 6, Harper 6 (Hyde 87), Welsh 6, Carson 6, Mckay 6, Doran 6, Oakley 7 (Boyd 79), Ram 6, Shaw 7, Delaney 6. Subs not used – Ridgers (GK), Strachan, Calum MacKay, Nicolson.
Arbroath (3-5-2) – Gaston 7, Oakley 6, Hamilton 6, Little 6, Gold 6 (Hancock 79), McKenna 6, Jacobs 6, Linn 6, Tait 7, Shanks 6 (Hilson 69), Allan 6 (Fosu 77). Subs not used – Gill (GK), Corfe, Isiaka.
Referee – Calum Scott.
Attendance – 1847.
Man of the match – Nathan Shaw.
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