PROUD Kilmarnock boss Kenny Shiels hailed his spirited side as they powered into the Top Six with a last gasp leveller from stylish supersub Borja Perez earning a precious point away to the second-placed Highlanders in bitterly cold Inverness, writes Stewart McConnell.

But the gaffer, who is just back from a four-match touchline ban hopes he escapes further SFA sanctions, after being sent off in the final minute for kicking out at a water bottle in frustration.

"The referees must have it in for me, It was a kick out of frustration and I didn't even connect with the bottle. Hopefully there will be no further action against me.

"A point against the second best team in the SPL is a great result, we are playing well. Borja scored a vital goal and had a great game. James Dayton is also doing really well. Sammy Clingan is doing fine, all he needed was match fitness. It's great to be in the Top Six and this will give us confidence before our trip to Tynecastle to play Hearts on Saturday," Shiels told Sportscene.

Killie have lost only twice in their last five games, with one of those coming away to champions-elect Celtic and look to be well in contention to earn a lucrative Top Six place before the split on April 6.

The visitors had to fight a rearguard action for much of the match and the hosts forged their first opportunity in four minutes when Billy McKay missed a sitter, sending a header from an Owain Tudor Jones knock-on from a Graeme Shinnie corner-kick over the bar. Caley continued to control the match and it was no surprise when they seized the initiative in 21 minutes as Aaron Doran staved off a challenge from Ross Barbour before finding Nick Ross to net from close range. Kyle Letheren, in for the injured Cammy Bell, then made good saves from McKay and Doran as they maintained their advantage until half-time.

The visiting keeper foiled Gary Warren and Shinnie just after the break with the former sending a header wide of target. A couple of half chances came Killie's way, Paul Heffernan glancing wide and Perez blasting an effort wildly over the bar.

Caley had a penalty claim turned down in 57 minutes when McKay went down under pressure from Momo Sissoko.

There was little of the way of chances until Killie snatched a point a minute from time as Dayton's cross was slammed home from 12 yards by former Real Madrid Academy player Perez.

KILMARNOCK: Letheren; Barbour, Tesselaar, Sissoko, Pascali, Clingan, Hay, Dayton, Heffernan, Gros. Subs: Jaakola, O'Leary, Racchi, Perez, Ibrahim, McKenzie, Winchester.

Attn: 2529.

For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.