Inverness CT 0-1 Hamilton

Aug 17 2008 Alasdair Fraser At Caledonia Stadium

CRAIG BREWSTER last night hailed Jamie Duff's stunning debut - despite the kid stopper's blunder that handed high-flying Accies victory.

The 19-year-old centre-half mistimed a high ball near the left touchline that led to Richard Offiong's devastating burst and finish.

Caley boss Brew was furious with his side's performance but refused to blame youngster Duff who was excellent for long spells.

Hamilton's hard-earned victory keeps them top of the SPL after a dream start for Billy Reid's fearless side.

Brew said: "Jamie was superb. It was a mistake but Offiong still had to run 40 yards and pull off a great finish.

"I'm all the more convinced now Jamie will have a great future in the game. All I said to him at half-time was to keep his head up and he continued to do well.

"We were just pedestrian with the ball. We will never cause opponents problems playing like that.

"The most disappointing thing is it was night and day from how we performed in last weekend's win at Pittodrie."

These two teams had never met in league action during Caley Thistle's 14-year existence.

So it was not a bad start - a top-of-the-table clash in the SPL.

But the glamour of that billing failed to show in the quality of play despite both sides trying to get the ball down and pass.

In the end it took Duff's lapse to separate the sides and preserve Accies' 100 per cent start.

An injury to home skipper Grant Munro, along with David Proctor's suspension, gave Duff the chance to slot into Caley's defence.

And he soon soothed any nerves with a crunching saving tackle on James McArthur after only 11 minutes.

The early attacking threat came from the home team and Ian Black's perfect pass set Don Cowie away in 19 minutes.

Cowie's cross from the left side of the box was only just headed to safety by Accies' evergreen centre-half Chris Swailes.

Hamilton were limited going forward, although Offiong should have done much better in 36 minutes when he skied a six-yard header from Simon Mensing's knock-back.

Cowie was driving Inverness on through the middle and his burst forward just before half-time was cynically stopped by McArthur clipping his heels.

Doug Imrie stepped over the free-kick but Cowie's attempt from 22 yards dropped over.

And just as the pace of the game eased even more before the break, Caley Thistle were caught napping.

Duff was carelessly dispossessed near the left touchline and Offiong tore in on goal at an angle.

Russell Duncan made a despairing attempt to catch him on the 40-yard burst but the former Newcastle United striker calmly slipped the ball past Michael Fraser for the opening goal.

Irish Under-21 striker Adam Rooney, newly signed from Stoke City, was thrown on by Brewster at the break to lend lone hitman Andy Barrowman support.

Rooney showed an early threat and Cowie also stubbed a volley in the box with the goal at his mercy in 58 minutes.

Play descended into a scrappy period midway through the half but Accies had a couple of late chances and the points went south.

Delighted Reid said: "There was a mistake for our goal but Richard still had a lot of work to do.

"He showed his pace and the finish was sensational.

"Inverness pinned us back a bit more in the second half but our two centre-halves were immense.

"We deserved to win. There's no fear factor at this club. We came here for a victory and I'm a happy man tonight.

"People made a big issue of the importance of us getting points early or we would face disaster.

"I never saw it like that but I can't ask formore than six points from six after coming up from the First Division."

REF WATCH

STEVEN O'REILLY had a relatively quiet day but frustrated fans of both sides by halting play when he should have let it flow. Rating: 6/10.

MATCH STATS

INVERNESS CT v HAMILTON

2 Shots on 2

4 shots off 3

2 Fouls 5

17 Offside 20

4 Corners 6

1 Booking 2