Ross County 2-2 Inverness CT: Josh Mullin secures Highland derby replay

Josh Mullin netted a dramatic injury-time equaliser to keep Ross County in the Scottish Cup after a pulsating Highland derby in Dingwall.

Ross Stewart levelled 10 minutes after the break before Brad McKay restored Caley Thistle's lead.

But with time ticking away, Mullin beat the offside trap to strike and force a replay, with the winner travelling to Dundee United in the quarter-finals.

This was a typically feisty derby between these two sides with County pushing deep into injury time for a late winner, but it was not to be.

The sides will meet again in Inverness on Tuesday, 19 February.

• Holders Celtic meet Hibernian in Scottish Cup quarter-finals
• County salvage dramatic draw - as it happened

'Football throws up dramatic surprise' - analysis

BBC Scotland's Brian McLauchlin in Dingwall

It may not have been a sell-out but the Highland derby more than gave those hardy fans who turned out on a chilly February evening some thrilling entertainment.

From John Beaton's opening whistle the tackles were flying in all over the park but no more than you would expect from either team.

In his pre-match interview, John Robertson said he had the belief in his side. Not just to win the game, but to go on and actually win the trophy.

And when Doran fired home in the first half that belief could easily be witnessed in his players.

County were better in the second period and when substitute Stewart levelled from a fine Michael Gardyne cross, it looked as if there was to be only one winner.

But football has a habit of throwing up surprises and McKay popped at a corner up to lash home and turn the game on its head.

However substitute Mullin had the last laugh when he raced clear and fired low past Mark Ridgers, sealing a replay that the hosts may have started to think was beyond them.

'Sums up our season' - reaction

Ross County co-manager Steven Ferguson: "We always felt there would be one more chance in the game. Josh is well onside and does great to finish it.

"The players never know when they're beaten. Sometimes it's not pretty and you have to put your shoulder to the wheel and the players deserve all the credit for that.

"I don't think either us would have wanted a replay. We're delighted we're still in the hat."

Inverness CT manager John Robertson: "It's just about being street-smart. They stopped.

"You just keep defending but they've let Josh Mullin through and he's scored. That sums up our season. We've been in the lead and given away a goal at the end. We now have a replay to play so we'll just get on with it.

"We felt we were getting close to that third goal which would have finished the game off. We didn't see where their goal was going to come from. That's the difference. That's why we're fourth in the league and County are top."