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St Mirren claimed a point in their battle to avoid a relegation play-off by fighting back to draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The Buddies took the lead through Jason Naismith's strike and Ross Draper nodded Caley Thistle level.

Greg Tansey lashed home to put the hosts ahead but parity was restored via Sean Kelly's second-half header.

Inverness finished the match with 10 men after Josh Meekings was dismissed for a foul on Josh Magennis.

With Partick Thistle and Ross County also drawing in their respective matches, St Mirren remain second-bottom in the play-off spot, two below Partick with six games to play.

In the top half of the table, Inverness remain four points clear of sixth-place St Johnstone.

St Mirren, without a win since 1 March, set about arresting their run of defeats by taking the lead early in the match.

Kenny McLean's free-kick found Naismith, who showed composure to beat goalkeeper Dean Brill.

Meekings' header was tipped over by Chris Dilo but the Buddies goalkeeper was beaten by Draper's effort after the midfielder rose above Darren McGregor to meet Graeme Shinnie's corner.

Billy McKay then spurned a decent chance to put the hosts in front. Inverness fans sing that McKay "scores when he wants".

However, this was far from evident when, one on one with keeper Christopher Dilo and possibly with the intervention of a bobble on the pitch, his effort sped wide.

Nevertheless, the striker was instrumental in their next goal, heading Liam Polworth's cross into the path of Tansey, who netted from 10 yards.

A goalbound shot by Steve Thompson was blocked by a combination of Inverness defenders before the break.

Although disappointed on that occasion, the Paisley side were not to be denied after the hour mark as McLean's corner found Kelly and the defender headed beyond Brill.

And, after Magennis sped clear of Meekings, the defender committed the foul which resulted in his red card.

Referee Willie Collum believed McGennis had a goalscoring opportunity, although Inverness manager John Hughes insisted that Shinnie was tracking back.

Both sides had chances to win it but neither Nick Ross for Inverness nor McLean could find a winner.