IT WAS never likely to be a day to dwell on as Inverness and Dundee battled earnestly against a challenging surface as much as each other and both managers were casting an eye to midweek tests after a draw that aided the ambitions of both.

The Dark Blues stay in the top six hunt, while Caley Thistle edged closer to realising their European qualification dream, helped by Dundee United's troubles.

Manager John Hughes, then, was focussed on Wednesday's trip to Pittodrie, while counterpart Paul Hartley spoke of a huge derby against United.

The peculiarities of the Bosman transfer rules will bring yesterday's man of the match, Graeme Shinnie, up against his future employers in the Granite City but Hughes is confident his soon-to-depart skipper will have no qualms about shooting down the Dons if he gets the chance.

The day might have been all the sweeter had substitute Edward Ofere not fluffed a great chance late in the day, but Hughes is relishing the second versus third showdown in store.

"Shinnie has scored a few goals for us this season and he was different class for us again today," Hughes said.

"He will be Man of the Match on Wednesday, too, trust me - if I pick him.

"He will want to show Aberdeen what kind of player they are getting - that's the kind of boy he is. I have touted him for a Scotland call-up and he maybe needs to go to Aberdeen for that to happen in the future.

"He has been outstanding for us. He has been great to play with, has great values and works ever so hard.

"He works on his right foot to improve it, he's a fitness fanatic and he has a big future in the game. Aberdeen have got themselves a wonderful player.

"But we will go there on Wednesday and they'll know they've been in a game."

Hughes believes there are plenty of twists and turns left in the battle for a European place, despite the great advantage on United.

"It's going to be nip and tuck until the end of the season. It's a point today and it might be the point that takes us where we want to go," he said.

"United have a game in hand, but I'm really looking forward to what's coming up. This is like the sprint in a cycle race."

A rutted surface was tough on both sides but the hosts were intent on getting the ball down and passing.

They soon grabbed the initiative in a dominant first half display where Dundee failed to test keeper Ryan Esson once.

After just three minutes, Greg Tansey had a dead ball opportunity 30 yards out and tested keeper Scott Bain who failed to a hold the fierce strike cleanly, but recovered.

When Dundee's Greg Stewart was brought crashing soon after, his free-kick dig was meek by comparison and struck straight against the home wall.

Tansey was looking likeliest to do that and his chipped free-kick after 17 minutes was met by a Marley Watkins head-flick that bounced wide.

On 25 minutes later, Tansey accelerated past a couple of challenges and let rip from 20 yards. This time Bain clutched confidently.

Pressure was cranking up on Dundee and an Aaron Doran burst of pace in the 33rd minute drew another Bain save for a corner as the Irishman fired hard towards the corner of the net. But the game was crying out for inspiration which eventually came in the 53rd minute for previously unthreatening Dundee.

Greg Stewart's ball set up David Clarkson to smash low under Esson's diving body from 15 yards.

Caley Thistle, shaken to life, hit back almost immediately. Nick Ross sent in a cross from the right, missed by the head of young Ryan Christie and Shinnie took control, cutting inside determinedly, before scoring from 10 yards.

Play was opening up. Doran struck the side-netting soon after and then Clarkson swung a free-kick over the wall but wide of target.

The introduction of the towering Ofere up front signalled the hosts intent for the closing stages, but the Nigerian was to miss a glorious chance with nine minutes left.

Watkins' flick knocked the ball into Ofere's path closing in on Bain, but his touch past the keeper bounced off-target.

"Overall I was pleased with the players ahead of a massive game for us on Wednesday," Hartley said, before rejecting suggestions United's dire form or, indeed their New Year's derby triumph might be factors. "It is a big game and one where we want to do well. It's a derby game and there should be a good atmosphere so we're looking forward to it.

"I don't think the last derby comes into it. Everyone else mentions it, not us. As a manager I tend not to dwell on the past. I look to the future.

"I don't think it counts if you are on a good run or a bad run. Derbies are difficult to preduict. It's a different style of game. It's a battle."

Inverness CT (4-2-3-1): Esson; Raven, Warren, Meekings, Shinnie; Draper, Tansey; Ross (Kink 83), Christie (Ofere 70), Doran; Watkins. Subs: Brill, Vincent, Ofere, Devine, Williams, Polworth.

Booked: Draper 57, Raven 67

Dundee (4-2-3-1): Bain; P McGinn, McPake (Davidson 62), Konrad, Dyer; Thomson, Ferry (McAlister 70); McGowan, S. McGinn, Stewart; Clarkson (Harris 82). Subs: Letheren, McAlister, Gadzhalov, Wighton, Heffernan. Booked: McGowan 54, Dyer 79

Referee: Willie Collum. Attendance: 3,362