Inverness CT 2-2 St Johnstone: Reece McAlear pegs back Perth side in play-off final

Reece McAlear (right) denied St Johnstone victory with two goals in seven minutes

Inverness Caledonian Thistle revived their Scottish Premiership promotion ambitions after a stunning late Reece McAlear double snatched an unlikely draw with St Johnstone.

The Perth side, who finished 11th in the top flight, were cruising after Shaun Rooney's thumping header and Melker Hallberg's scrambled effort.

They had further chances after the break, but were punished for their profligacy when McAlear first lashed in from the edge of the area, then fizzed in an outrageous free-kick to level.

It leaves the tie delicately poised going into Monday's second leg at McDiarmid Park, with last season's double cup winners St Johnstone needing to avoid defeat if they are not to slip into the Scottish Championship.

Callum Davidson may well be wondering how this contest is still alive going into that match, given how dominant they were for a large chunk of this game.

Glenn Middleton set the tone, having a fierce early drive pushed over by Mark Ridgers, before Murray Davidson dragged an effort wide and Rooney tested the home keeper from distance.

That St Johnstone pressure would pay off, though, when Hallberg crossed from the left and Rooney leapt high above Cameron Harper to apply a meaty finish.

Still the Perth side came and still Inverness struggled. Callum Hendry's shot was blocked by Ridgers and the ball was eventually touched in by Hallberg after Middleton had made himself a nuisance.

Inverness looked shell-shocked. They needed half-time and manager Billy Dodds acted when it arrived, sending on Logan Chalmers and Austin Samuels in place of Aaron Doran and Joe Hardy.

Initially, there was no let-up by St Johnstone, with Hendry drawing an awkward save from Ridgers and Dan Cleary nodding wide before Middleton curled an effort just past an upright.

However, Inverness had showcased their resilience in their penalty shootout play-off semi-final win over Arbroath, and they summoned that resolve again here.

McAlear gave them hope, finishing firmly after Samuels squared from the right, albeit St Johnstone felt aggrieved that play had not been stopped following a clash of heads, while Samuels may also have been offside when receiving the ball.

Regardless, Inverness responded better to the goal as they sensed the chance of an unlikely draw. And they earned just that when McAlear shaped a stunning free-kick high into Zander Clark's top right-hand corner to leave the tie in the balance.

Man of the match - Glenn Middleton

The winger (right) tormented the Inverness defence until going off and was unfortunate not to score

What did we learn?

Shorn of the suspended Danny Devine and Wallace Duffy - both dismissed in last Friday's semi-final - Inverness started with a back three to match up with St Johnstone but reverted to a four after falling two behind.

For three quarters of this game, they were second best but were galvanised by McAlear's first goal and the side who finished third in the second tier ended the game on top.

St Johnstone looked as though they had reserved their best performance of the season for their most important game. Looking much more like the team that won last season's cup double, Davidson's side were firmly in the driving seat.

However, they now have plenty work to do to secure a 14th successive top-flight campaign, given the second leg has effectively become a cup final.

What did they say?

Inverness Caledonian Thistle manager Billy Dodds: "I had to change it at half-time, I had to do something. Luckily it worked but it wasn't just the changes, it was because of the desire of my players.

"We really played well second half, once we got our goal. The subs were good. Two great goals from Reece McAlear.

"We just want to go to McDiarmid with a fighting chance and put some pressure on because pressure tells in football. We've still got a big ask, we have to play better from the start than tonight but I think they realise they're good enough now."

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: "It's a poor refereeing decision for their first goal. It's two yards offside and it was a head knock. Two really poor decisions let them back in the game. They got a little bit of momentum.

"For the first 60 minutes, we were outstanding. It's probably a little bit disappointing we didn't score more goals. It goes back to McDiarmid and it's up to us to win the game.

"We need to go and perform like that on Monday. If we do, we'll be confident we can win the game. It's one game so let's go."

What's next?

The sides meet again in Monday's second leg at McDiarmid Park (19:45 BST).