Dundee United 1 Inverness 1: Butcher's revitalised Inverness make their point at Tannadice

INVERNESS may not have moved off the bottom of the league with this result, but the fact they left Tannadice with even a point gives them cause to believe they will be onwards and upwards soon enough.

Inverness played the pressing game right from the off, but in the early stages United's passing was sharp enough to leave their guests chasing little more than shadows. However, when United allowed that tempo to slow, the pressure the Highland side were applying became troublesome.

Having had the better of the opening exchanges, Craig Levein's side were surprised to find themselves behind on the 15-minute mark. Eric Odhiambo had actually spent five months at Tannadice at the start of last year but having made only one start for the Tayside men he returned yesterday in the blue and red of the visitors. They were left wishing he hadn't. It was a combination of a decent delivery from Dougie Imrie on the right and some pitiful defending which allowed Odhiambo to get in a free header from three yards out and direct the ball into Lukasz Zaluska's net.

Prior to that, the biggest threat had been posed by United. Having broken into the box, Fran Sandaza, who was in the starting line up in place of Warren Feeney, tried to cut the ball back to Jon Daly, but sensing the danger Ryan Esson got down to smother the ball. That was in just the second minute and 60 seconds later United had another chance but, once again, the Inverness keeper was alert. This time it was Prince Bauben who tried to pick out Sandaza, but as the pass whizzed across the face of Esson's goal he got down to intercept.

Even after Inverness had taken the lead, United initially had the better opportunities. There was a claim for a penalty in the 32nd minute which was waved aside after Sandaza went down and then it was Craig Conway's cross in from the left wing, which Daly flicked on but, with Lee Wilkie trying to get in at the back post, Lionel Djebi-Zadi managed to get in ahead of him and clear. Those chances began to peter out though as Inverness scrapped to get a better foothold on proceedings.

They have shown greater spirit and cohesion in recent weeks and have had two clean sheets in a row since Terry Butcher's arrival. But up front they still need to be more clinical. In the 42nd minute they could have extended their lead but failed to make the most of matters when Imrie and Odhiambo found themselves two-on-two with Paul Dixon and Garry Kenneth. Having worked their way into the box, Imrie only needed to pick out his team-mate but he played it too close to Zaluska and allowed the keeper to kill off the move.

But Inverness were still a threat as the second half got going. United were showing a degree of recklessness. With plenty time remaining to turn the scoreline on its head, they seemed impatient and were caught on a few occasions after pushing too many of their big men up for set pieces. The worst part was their unwillingness or inability to learn from the first couple of close calls. On the back of that first half break, they were almost caught out again when another Imrie burst stretched the United rearguard. But they were holding on and even when Paul Caddis, who had been moved back to right-back to make way for the attacking presence of Danny Swanson on the wing, made an error that allowed Richie Foran to pick out Imrie, they survived. Imrie had been coming in at an angle and the best he could do was find the side netting.

Imrie was an impressive worker for the Inverness cause, doing most things correctly and, but for some poor decision-making when through on the home defence, he could have been the match winner, but he could not find the killer pass or finish. That sense of purpose was also shown by young Swanson when he entered the fray in the second half but he made his break count for something. Even if it wasn't an immediate goal, he did lure Russell Duncan into a challenge which was rewarded with an early shower and allowed United to pile the pressure on the 10-man opposition.

It was the 71st minute when Swanson showed a clean pair of heels to burst free of the crowd and the only thing between him and the Inverness goal was Duncan's leg, which the Inverness player stuck out to fell the player in a moment of desperation. While the challenge was 30 yards out, it was still deemed a straight red card by referee Craig Thomson, who did not hesitate before handing United their one-man advantage. That player imbalance was translated into scoreline parity eight minutes later. Andis Shala had just come on when a ball was played in from the right and he flicked it on for Wilkie. Esson maybe should have collected it but the big defender got a boot to it first and it bobbled over the line to give the home side the equaliser.

United then tried to turn the screw and camped in Inverness's half but couldn't make another breakthrough and Inverness left Tayside with only their second point in 30.

MAN OF THE MATCH

A few contenders in the Inverness ranks and Danny Swanson made a late bid for the accolade when he came on, but Lionel Djebi-Zadi was impressive at left back for the visitors and largely responsible for his side taking something from this match.

QUICK FACT

Inverness have the worst defensive record in the top flight but since Terry Butcher's arrival have not lost a game. They have still only taken two points from a possible 30.

TALKING POINT

The sending off. Whether Danny Swanson was denied a clear goalscoring opportunity when he would still have had to beat Ryan Esson is one for the visiting fans to debate.