Airdrie claimed another important point as they boosted their fight for Division One survival with a 1-1 draw against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Thistle dominated the first half-hour and could have opened the scoring after nine minutes but Mike Teasdale headed the ball wide.

Eight minutes later, Denis Wyness was on target with an excellent drive but Airdrie goalkeeper Allan Ferguson got down well to save.

Airdrie's best chance fell to Derek McWilliams, who was sent clean through by Owen Coyle after 37 minutes but his shot was saved by Jim Calder's outstretched leg.

The game became increasingly scrappy in the second half but the deadlock was broken by Airdrie after 57 minutes.

Barry Robson handled Robert Dunn's shot and was sent off.

Coyle put his side ahead from the spot with his sixth goal in six games.

Ten-man Thistle continued to look lively and earned a deserved equaliser 20 minutes from time when Wyness received Martin Bavidge's pass and fired an unstoppable shot beyond Ferguson to rescue a point.