Kenny Miller saw a penalty saved as Clydesdale Bank Premier League leaders Rangers were held to a 1-1 draw by Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.
Miller had earlier equalised Johnny Hayes’ stupendous opener at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, the draw seeing the Gers’ lead at the top extended to three points, with Celtic’s game at Kilmarnock postponed because of the weather.
The home side excelled in the first half with the carrot of third place in the league (their highest ever) waved at them, Adam Rooney seeing an early effort saved by Allan McGregor after a good through-ball from Eric Odhiambo.
They continued to have a lot of the play without furnishing too many actual opportunities, ensuring that things were always dangerous with the champions looking to catch them out. Steven Naismith tried to do so, running onto a Miller ball but blazing over the bar. Miller himself then curled a chance too high from the edge of the area.
Hayes rocked the Gers on the half hour mark though, collecting the ball and holding onto it as he strode forward and unleashed a stunning 30-yard swerver that beat McGregor to the ‘keeper’s right and went in via the upright.
That was enough for a half-time lead, but Walter Smith’s men came out wounded after the restart and laid siege to Caley’s goal, Steven Davis having two attempts. The first effort from the Northern Ireland man was held by Ryan Esson before his second one deflected wide.
Miller had also shot wide in the first ten minutes of the second half, but in the 11th he levelled things with a fine goal. The former Derby County front man unleashed a fierce effort from over 20 yards that flew into Esson’s net.
Terry Butcher’s men tried to regain their advantage and McGregor was called on to save a narrow angle shot from Rooney before flying to deny Hayes’ follow-up header.
Rangers sub James Beattie was then inches away from tapping into an empty net, but his slide was just short of Steven Whittaker’s cross. Sasa Papac was later off target with a free-kick, while Naismith missed a great chance.
The Scotland attacker was onside as he ran onto a Miller through-ball and only had Esson to beat, but his attempt at a dink cleared not only the goalkeeper but also the bar.
His side kept attacking though and were given the perfect chance to win the day eight minutes from time when referee Calum Murray adjudged that Lee Cox was guilty of grounding Beattie in the box. The decision looked somewhat suspect and Caley will have felt justice was done when Esson's feet denied Miller’s kick to preserve a point his side’s first-half showing probably merited.
That said Miller could have snatched it away from them right at the death, but failed to do so when he fired wide from within 12 yards.