Dunfermline 1 Inverness 1 

JAMES McPake must have spent the hours before this match knocking over salt, putting his shoes on the table, opening an umbrella indoors, walking under a ladder and tripping over numerous black cats on the way to his car.

How else do you explain his luckless team being denied by the woodwork SEVEN times against Inverness, with players lining up to take shots only to see them all rebound back off the posts and bar as Mark Ridgers' goal led a charmed life.

An incredulous 5,000-plus crowd struggled to take it all in and to rub some more of that spilled salt into the wounds, it was ex-Par Danny Devine who netted what looked like the winner for the Caley Jags.

After lady luck had toyed with Dunfermline enough, three minutes from the end they finally enjoyed a slice of good fortune with Lewis McCann's leveller - the striker noting it was "a bit ironic" his goal went in off the post, the eighth time they'd knocked on wood.

Dunfermline Press: Pars striker Lewis McCann gets ready to celebrate after hitting the leveller against Inverness on Saturday.Pars striker Lewis McCann gets ready to celebrate after hitting the leveller against Inverness on Saturday. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Still scratching his head after the match, McPake said: "I've not really been involved in a game as a player, coach or a manager like that.

"Thankfully in the end one goes in.

"We're disappointed not to win the game but you can just imagine how we'd be feeling if I was coming out here saying again that we've performed well and taken nothing."

He added: "It's a point, it's not what we want at home but when you get a day like that, sometimes you take it.

"I can't ask any more of the players today. As a team, the way they kept going, the way they kept the ball. They played some really good stuff."

Dunfermline Press: Dunfermline boss James McPake praised the team and the fans after Saturday's match.Dunfermline boss James McPake praised the team and the fans after Saturday's match. (Image: Craig Brown.)

With the Premiership not in action and this the only Championship match being played, this was Scotland's game of the day and it didn't disappoint.

Duncan Ferguson has galvanised Inverness, they're unbeaten in six since he took charge and they were impressive here, enjoying plenty of possession and camping in Dunfermline's half for long spells.

It was the Pars who created the moments of real danger though with McCann nodding an early chance wide, Matty Todd denied by a perfectly timed Devine tackle and Owen Moffat firing a 25-yard drive just over the bar.

McCann's run of misfortune began in the 17th minute. His shot beat Ridgers but the ball hit the post, rolled along the line and glanced off the other post before being cleared.

Two minutes later they were at it again.

Dunfermline Press: Athletic striker Lewis McCann was out of luck after this shot beat the goalkeeper but hit both posts and stayed out of the net.Athletic striker Lewis McCann was out of luck after this shot beat the goalkeeper but hit both posts and stayed out of the net. (Image: Craig Brown)

Ritchie-Hosler's side foot volley struck the upright - he should have scored - and Devine clumsily scuffed the ball off the same post before Inverness managed to get the ball away.

Big Dunc's men had chances too, and Cammy Harper missed an open goal, but Athletic were cursing their luck again in the 33rd minute with McCann seizing on a short pass back, rounding Ridgers and thumping the ball off the post from a tight angle.

Moffat was on the rebound but his net-bound shot deflected off a defender and onto the bar.

Just over half an hour played and the woodwork had been struck six times. No-one had seen anything like it.

Dunfermline Press: Owen Moffat's goal-bound effort was deflected onto the bar by an Inverness defender. Owen Moffat's goal-bound effort was deflected onto the bar by an Inverness defender. (Image: Craig Brown.)

Sod's law, Inverness scored in the 43rd minute, Devine stabbing home the loose ball after Pars failed to clear a cross.

They bossed the start of the second half too, and David Wotherspoon came close, before Dunfermline wrestled back control.

Pars looked destined to get nothing from this match when a terrific 82nd minute strike by Ewan Otoo, which must have been close to 30 yards, pinged off the outside of the post.

Lesser teams may have thrown in the towel but McPake said: "There will be bad performances, but I don't think I'll ever stand here and accuse that group of chucking it.

"That’s one of the things we demand and there has not been a game since we have been here when they have done that.

Dunfermline Press: Joe Chalmers, who provided the assist for Lewis McCann's goal, wins possession in this tussle. Joe Chalmers, who provided the assist for Lewis McCann's goal, wins possession in this tussle. (Image: Craig Brown.)

"I was pleased with our performance. When you hit the post seven, eight or nine times, whatever it was, sometimes it's not for you."

Dunfermline kept at it and three minutes from the end McCann controlled the ball on his chest and lashed a fine strike in off the upright to send the home fans wild.

McPake said: "The noise was special after that goal - a great goal to be fair. The crowd were pushing us and edging us on. I’m just gutted for them as well because they got right behind us.

"I’m bitterly disappointed that we never got the three points. Credit to Inverness and Duncan for his start but I’m really proud of my players today.”