Caley Thistle begin this half like they did the first, on the front foot.

Their neat play eventually finds Sean Welsh who balloons his strike over the bar from 20 yards out.

We're back up and running in the Highlands.

It took just 43 seconds for Inverness CT to find an equaliser through Nikolay Todorov after Billy McKay had broken the deadlock with a header.

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Gary Caldwell
Former Scotland defender on BBC Scotland

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Well we had to wait for it but this Scottish Cup derby has sprung into life.

The game has ebbed and flowed between the two sides but neither were able to craft any chances of real note before Billy McKay nodded the home side in front.

Caley Thistle wasted little time in getting back into the game with Nikolay Todorov slamming home the equaliser just 43 seconds later.

It sets up an intriguing second half but it's worth remembering if things stay level we go all the way to extra time and penalties.

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Caley Thistle almost complete a five minute turnaround as Scott Allan creates a pocket of space before firing just wide of the far post.

After a bit of a wait this derby is showing it's teeth.

An almost exact copy of Caley Thistle's chance in the first minute of the game.

Scott Allan picks up the ball just outside the box and looks to play Daniel Mackay in with one of his signature reverse passes.

Once again though, the winger makes his move too early and is called offside as he slots the chance after the whistle has gone.

Nikolay Todorov absolutely lamps the ball towards goal from 25 yards out but it rises well over the bar.

Not much to shout about so far this evening. Both side's are yet to create anything of note.

Plenty of effort, just lacking quality.

Ross County register their first attempt of the night as Iain Vigurs smashes a freekick towards goal.

It deflects off the wall though and floats safely into the arms of Mark Ridgers.

The home side have recovered from their trepidatious start and are beginning to knock it about without penetrating the Caley Thistle backline as yet.

Danny Devine does end up in the book for a challenge on Billy McKay as the striker flicked the ball on.

First effort of the night as Scott Allan pings a corner into the box which Danny Devine meets but his header is well wide.

The away side have started the better here with County struggling to find any rhythm with a number of slack passes so far.

Almost immediately there's a chance for the away side as Scott Allan drives at the County defence.

He plays a through ball for Daniel Mackay but the winger is well offside.

We're underway in Dingwall.

Remember you can watch the game live at the top of this page.

Inverness are clearly the team in the ascendancy coming into tonight's game.

After some early struggles under interim boss Neil McCann, they have now won their last four games to significantly boost their Championship playoff hopes.

As for County, John Hughes' side are never outclassed due to their impeccable work rate but are still looking for the consistency which would allow them to move away from the threat of relegation.

The home side have won two of their last five - beating Celtic and Kilmarnock at home.

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Speaking to BBC Scotland Inverness CT interim manager Neil McCann: "It's a big game for the club. The derbies are always special particuarly for the fans, it's a shame they're not here tonight."

"We've been on a really good run and hopefully we can take that into the game and I can't wait for it to get started"

On giving Scott Allan his first start:

"Scott's a class player and he's really enhanced the group. We've got results because of how we've stayed together as a team and he's really fit into that"

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Speaking to BBC Scotland Ross County manager John Hughes: "The dream is to win the cup and we can take inspiration from what we did at Inverness."

"We know the importance of the derby and we want to win it. It's going to be very difficult I think it'll go right down to the wire"

"It's a real shame the supporters aren't here because it's the supporters that make a derby. We know the importance of the game even if the fans aren't here. We have to do it for them"

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Look out for Scott Allan this evening.

The Hibs midfielder, 29, joined Caley Thistle on loan till the end of the season as he continues to manage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart condition that causes fatigue and shortness of breath.

After a five-month absence from the Hibs first team, Allan made a handful of substitute appearances for Jack Ross' side before moving north for a temporary stint.

His inclusion in tonight's starting XI is his first start since late August.

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Both teams have men in the dugout familiar with their opposition.

John Hughes led Inverness to their first major trophy in 2015 - now he's managing Ross County as they fight for survival in the Premiership, having replaced Stuart Kettlewell in December.

At Inverness, former County assistant manager Billy Dodds has signed up to help caretaker boss and fellow regular BBC pundit Neil McCann.

There are also players on show who have played for both sides, including County's former Inverness pair Billy Mckay and Iain Vigurs and Caley Thistle keeper Mark Ridgers.

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