Saturday 18 February 2017 18:56, UK
Jamie Walker missed a 74th-minute penalty as Hearts missed the chance to close within three points of second placed Rangers, as the Edinburgh club drew 1-1 at home with struggling Inverness.
Despite being the dominant side throughout, they were unable to beat bottom-of-the-table Caley Thistle, who took the lead in the 24th minute when Carl Tremarco headed home Greg Tansey's free-kick.
After that it was all Hearts as Bjorn Johnsen's deflected shot smacked the bar, Andraz Struna was denied by visiting keeper Owain Fon Williams and Esmael Goncalves headed wide from close range.
Hearts finally grabbed the equaliser they thoroughly deserved in the 64th minute, as Arnaud Djoum netted from close range but the Tynecastle side passed up the opportunity to take all three points from the penalty spot.
Goalscorer Djoum was felled by keeper Fon Williams, who immediately made amends by saving Walker's penalty.
Despite creating a few more opportunities during the close stages, Hearts were unable to beat a team who last won in the league in late October.
Meanwhile, St Johnstone left it late to beat Ross County, as Chris Kane's 91st-minute goal secured three points in a 2-1 victory at Dingwall.
With time running out, the striker located the top corner of the net from outside the box, to leave Saints just one point adrift of Hearts in the table.
The first goal arrived in the 31st minute, when Blair Alston's low cross was directed into his own net by Jay McEveley.
Michael Gardyne came close to grabbing an equaliser just before half-time when he was denied by the post.
Early in the second half, McEveley very nearly netted his second own goal of the afternoon, when his wayward header dropped just wide of a post, with keeper Scott Fox looking on helplessly.
The hosts levelled matters against the run of play with 17 minutes remaining when Jim O'Brien fed Craig Curran, who equalised with a low strike into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
But with the game heading towards a draw along came Kane, although Alex Schalk forced an even later save out Saints keeper Zander Clark.
Kris Doolan netted twice as Partick Thistle eased their relegation fears with a 2-0 victory over visiting Hamilton.
The striker's second-half brace took Thistle five points clear of Saturday's opponents, who remain second from bottom in the table.
Coming on as a second-half substitute, Doolan's two headers in the 68th and 79th minutes, leaves the Accies without an away win all season.
Elsewhere, Celtic made it 24 wins from 25 matches, thanks to first-half goals from Moussa Dembele and James Forrest - the former via the penalty spot - as the Hoops beat Motherwell 2-0.
On Sunday, Kilmarnock entertain Aberdeen, while Rangers travel to Dundee.
