Inverness Caledonian Thistle missed the chance to go second in the Scottish Premiership table after an own goal denied them victory in the Highland derby against Ross County.

Both sides had goalscoring opportunities in the opening stages, with Liam Boyce firing narrowly wide for the visitors and Gary Warren testing Staggies goalkeeper Antonio Reguero with a header at the other end.

Cally took the lead six minutes before half time through Marley Watkins, who collected the ball from Greg Tansey outside of the box and rifled a shot into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.

The hosts came close to doubling their lead early in the second period as Carl Tremarco nodded wide from six yards out, and Josh Meekings's close-range effort needed a good save from Reguero just after the hour.

They were made to rue those missed chances in the 76th minute when a cross caused havoc in their area and found its way into the net via Cally defender Warren, whose own goal levelled the match.

There was almost a grandstand finish as both teams created chances in stoppage time. Watkins missed the target with a header before Boyce did exactly the same at the other end moments later.

The result leaves Cally in third place in the table, level on points with Aberdeen, who have played a game less. Ross County remain rooted to the bottom.