Stephen Kingsley's superb second-half free-kick ensured Hearts maintained their unbeaten Scottish Premiership start as Ross County still search for a first league win under Malky Mackay.
Liam Boyce gave the visitors an early lead against his former club, but Blair Spittal cancelled out the finish two minutes later in Dingwall.
In a pulsating first half, Spittal added a second just before the break.
But Kingsley's fine strike earned Hearts a draw in a top-flight thriller.
Robbie Neilson's men pushed for a winner, but the point means his side remain third - level on points with Hibernian, who are in top spot, and Rangers, who have played a game fewer, in second.
As for County, the result keeps the Highlanders in 11th.
With both managers naming attack-minded sides, the hope was we would be in for a treat. What followed did not disappoint.
Craig Gordon got away with one early when Ross Callachan failed to capitalise on the Hearts keeper's poor clearance, and the County midfielder was made to pay when straight up the other end Gary Mackay-Steven slipped in Boyce whose deflected finish opened the scoring.
But the hosts responded instantly, as Jordan White's impressive hold-up play resulted in the striker laying off Spittal to steer a low shot from the edge of the area into the far corner.
Another three or four first-half goals would not have flattered Hearts. Barrie McKay had two close-range efforts blocked and Armand Gnanduillet forced Ashley Maynard-Brewer into two fine saves.
County could have argued the same, with White mistiming a golden opportunity and Callachan seeing a sliding effort at the back post sail just over.
However, unlike Hearts, County would take one of their other first-half chances as Regan Charles-Cook worked his way to the byeline and slid a ball across to Spittal who finished from close range via a big deflection.
The Highlanders could have added to their lead shortly after the interval when Callachan could only put a back-post effort the wrong side of the post.
But they would find themselves level soon after when Kingsley curled a brilliant free-kick into the top-left corner.
Hearts pushed for a winner, with Boyce heading just wide and Jamie Walker forcing Maynard-Brewer into a another fine save.
Yet, it was County who came closest to snatching the three points when substitute Joseph Hungbo's shot was cleared off the line by John Souttar and White could not divert the rebound on target.
Man of the match - Ashley Maynard-Brewer
What did we learn?
Neilson named an attacking side, and if his team were more clinical in the first half it would have been a justified decision.
But in a defensive sense it hampered the visitors. The introduction of Cammy Devlin gave Hearts far more control, and perhaps if the midfielder started the Tynecastle side might be going back to Edinburgh with three points.
Mackay said last week after defeat at Celtic he is seeing signs his team is getting to where he wants them to be, and on the basis of their showing against Hearts it is hard to argue with that.
The County boss will be chasing that first win, but considering the fixtures they have had to contend with in their opening six games, three points is not the worst return as they head into a more favourable run of games.
What did they say?
Ross County manager Malky Mackay: "I'm really pleased we went toe-to-toe with one of the best sides in the league. The opening six fixtures have been exceptionally tough. I'm delighted with the way the group is coming together.
"The goals we scored were of excellent quality and overall I've got to be really pleased with my team. It's a brand new group of players that are still moulding."
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson: "In possession we were outstanding at times. We moved the ball quickly and got into some fantastic areas. The big disappointment is the sloppiness of the two goals we conceded. We didn't defend them properly.
"First half we created six or seven clear-cut chances and we end up going in 2-1 down. Two weeks in a row we've played against keepers that have been given the man of the match award."
What's next?
County travel to Fir Park next Saturday (15:00 BST) to face Motherwell, while Hearts kick off at home to Livingston at the same time.