Inverness CT 3-0 Kilmarnock

Apr 20 2008 Alasdair Fraser At Caledonian Stadium

CALEY boss Craig Brewster insists Dougie Imrie is set to show his class after a Shunsuke Nakamura-style sizzler shattered his SPL duck.

The January arrival from Clyde suffered quietly in the quest for his first Thistle strike until yesterday's sensational opener.

Imrie found the net in 10 minutes before a David Lilley own goal and Marius Niculae's cultured finish clinched the points for the Highlanders against a Killie side who never got into the game.

Thistle boss Brewster was delighted to see Imrie find the net and feels the 25-year-old can now relax and focus on his games.

Brew said: "There were some tremendous performances today but it really gives Imrie a lift scoring his first goal.

"He has brought great enthusiasm and is desperate to do well at the higher level.

"Hopefully that first goal gives him the chance to play without worrying.

"He has been saying 'I've got to score' but I told him not to worry and if he concentrated on working for the team it would come."

Brewster also deflected questions about Niculae's future after the Romanian's main paymaster Alan Savage quit as chairman.

Brew said: "That's Marius scored 10 goals and he's got another year on his contract.

"If someone bids for him we would consider it but that's the same for any player."

The Highlanders bounced back to form with their first home win since January 5 but they almost fell behind after just 30 seconds when James Fowler's rasping effort was tipped over by Michael Fraser.

The home team took the initiative from there though and hit the front in 10 minutes.

Killie's Iain Flannigan felled Barry Wilson on the edge of the box and from the dead ball Imrie fizzed a sublime, dipping left foot shot in at the far post.

The impetus stayed with Thistle and after 15 minutes contract hopeful Dennis Wyness fluffed a 20-yard shot into Alan Combe's arms with time and space to do better.

Killie's first real passing move came after 19 minutes ending with Fowler's delivery finding Gary Wales nodding into the near post side-netting.

Ryan O'Leary's well-timed challenge on Niculae in 27 minutes did enough to thwart the Romanian international at the vital moment after great build-up play from Wyness.

The lively Wilson then set up Niculae after 32 minutes with an excellent delivery but the striker was wasteful with a wild header over the bar.

Caley continued to play the better football as half-time approached and Don Cowie was unlucky not to stretch their lead with a curler from outside the box.

The hosts only increased their overall dominance in the second period.

Wilson again proved to be the inspiration as the half unfolded, playing Ross Tokely into space with a header after the re-start but the defender dragged his shot wide.

An excellent Wilson cross was then missed by both Imrie and Niculae at the far post after 53 minutes.

Killie looked set to crumble but Combe palmed the ball from under his bar to safety after a Wyness shot took a deflection minutes later.

Catastrophe struck for Killie after 71 minutes though when Imrie surged down the right and delivered a teasing cross into the box. The ball fell into the path of defender Lilley and under pressure from Roy McBain he diverted into his own net.

Nine minutes later and Niculae got his name on the scoresheet when Tokely played him in and he curled a cracker high into the net.

Disappointed Kilmarnock boss Jim Jefferies said: "We had a lot of absences and the lads who came in had a chance to do themselves a big favour for next season.

"There are a lot of players with everything to play for but it was a poor display."

MATCH STATS

INVERNESS CT

SHOTS ON 7

SHOTS OFF 8

OFFSIDE 2

FOULS 9

CORNERS 10

BOOKINGS 0

KILMARNOCK

SHOTS ON 2

SHOTS OFF 3

OFFSIDE 3

FOULS 16

CORNERS 3

BOOKINGS 0

REF WATCH

ALAN MUIR enjoyed an uneventful day and handled what little he had to do well. Neither team gave him many calls to make but any he made were sensible. Dished out one yellow card. Rating: 7/10.