Inverness CT 0 Motherwell 3

Nov 11 2007 SCOTT McDERMOTT at Caledonia Stadium

Red Card Tokely Makes It Easy For Well

RAGING Inverness boss Craig Brewster branded hothead Ross Tokely a disgrace for the red card that handed Motherwell an easy victory.

With ICT down to 10 men and Well a goal up, the right-back hit Steven McGarry with an off-the-ball forearm smash and Chris Boyle sent him off.

Any hope Brewster's men had of getting back into the game were killed off by an act of stupidity and Mark McGhee's outfit cruised to three points.

A double by David Clarkson and a late Darren Smith strike condemned the Caley Jags to defeat but they were up against it when Graham Bayne was unfairly sent off just after half-time.

It was all over when Tokely walked and he'll be disciplined by Brew tomorrow.

The boss said: "Bayne's red card was harsh. Every time he went up for a ball the referee penalised him.

"I told him at half-time to be careful because I knew after his next foul the referee would be desperate to send him off.

"But the second red card was a disgrace. Ross has let himself and his team-mates down. I think he's apologised in the dressing-room but I'll deal with him internally on Monday.

"It's an uphill struggle with 10 men but with nine, the game's over. We were poor again today and it's really disappointing."

Caley captain Grant Munro slammed his team-mate and said: "Ross was stupid and knows that, it was a definite sending-off."

The red cards had an impact on the game but that shouldn't take anything away from Well who were by far the better team.

A tiny band of 100 hardy souls who travelled north from Lanarkshire were celebrating after 16 minutes when Clarkson grabbed the opener.

Ross McCormack's whipped corner was flicked on at the near post by Stephen Craigan and Clarkson volleyed home from four yards.

The goal was brilliant in its simplicity but Caley's defending left a lot to be desired. Caley were hopeless in the opening half hour and couldn't muster a single shot at goal. They lacked creativity from middle to front and were shaky at the back.

They weren't helped by Boyle who booked Bayne for a nothing challenge after he and strike partner Dennis Wyness had been caught a few times by defenders.

Clarkson needlessly kicked the ball away twice when caught offside and the whistler let it go.

McGhee's side got a little complacent just before half-time.

Don Cowie's free-kick found Grant Munro six yards out but his header rippled the side netting. Russell Duncan burst into the box and fizzed in a shot that clipped Graeme Smith's right-hand post as ICT finally woke up.

But they were dealt a huge blow five minutes after the restart.

Bayne clattered into Clarkson on the halfway line and after booking him earlier Boyle had no option but to send the big striker packing.

Caley's misery was complete moments later when Clarkson made it 2-0. McCormack terrorised Tokely on the left and drove into the box.

His cutback was perfect for the 22-year-old Clarkson whose first effort was blocked by his teammate Chris Porter but he smashed in the rebound.

McCormack picked up the Young Player of the Month award for October and it was easy to see why. His sublime chip from 20 yards had Michael Fraser scrambling to tip it over the bar.

Tokely joined Bayne in the dressing room when he appeared to elbow McGarry.

Well were on easy street and Smith added No.3 when Clarkson picked him out on the run.

REF WATCH

CHRIS BOYLE had a day to forget as he lost control in the second half. Rating: 2/10.

MATCH STATS

SHOTS ON 0

SHOTS OFF 5

OFFSIDE 0

FOULS 19

CORNERS 3

BOOKINGS 2

MATCH STATS

SHOTS ON 6

SHOTS OFF 6

OFFSIDE 9

FOULS 6

CORNERS 6

BOOKINGS 0