Inverness CT 3-1 Kilmarnock

Sep 28 2008 Alasdair Fraser Reports

ANDY BARROWMAN last night revealed his wild goal celebration was aimed at the cynics who felt he couldn't cut it in the SPL.

But the Inverness striker insisted it was nothing personal against former gaffer Jim Jefferies, after helping his new club to fourth place with the vital second goal. Barrowman felt he never got a fair crack of the whip in his first SPL spell with Kilmarnock under Jeff.

He then went to Ross County and hit 29 goals before moving to Caley Thistle on a Bosman in the summer.

But it was Killie who left Inverness nursing a sense of grievance amid claims Barrowman dived for the penalty award just before the break.

The win gave Caley Thistle a first home win of the campaign and also blew the lid on Barrowman's emotions as he sprinted 100 yards to celebrate in the home technical area.

He said: "I'd be lying if I said the goal did not mean an awful lot to me.

"As soon as the fixtures came out I looked for this one as I never felt I got my chance at Kilmarnock.

"I never felt anything personal towards Jim Jefferies, Billy Brown or any of the players.

"But you want to prove you can cut it at this level.

"I've always felt I can but it is up to me to go and prove it."

Barrowman was also adamant the penalty award was correct, despite Killie outrage.

The 24-year-old said: "Craig Bryson certainly touched me.

"Just before it when I tried to hit the ball there was a handball in the box, so it could easily have been a penalty before then.

"There was obviously a bit of a delay and David Fernandez came up and pushed me but I'd have been doing the same thing.

"It's part and parcel of the game and I just had to block it out. I've experienced it before and know how to deal with it."

Irishman Conor Sammon punished a mistake by keeper Michael Fraser to give Killie the lead four minutes in.

But after Phil McGuire's equaliser, Barrowman converted the penalty and Ian Black sealed the win for Craig Brewster's men with a super second-half header.

Brewster dropped prize asset Don Cowie, while Barrowman and keeper Fraser came back in.

Fraser had endured the worst performance of his career almost a year earlier at Rugby Park.

And he made a woeful start yesterday when he misjudged Frazer Wright's free-kick before it fell to Simon Ford.

The defender's blast skimmed off a blue shirt to the back post where Sammon finished.

Caley drew level in 21 minutes when McGuire's effort from 12 yards looped over Alan Combe.

The moment of controversy came just before the break when Barrowman tore into the box and seemed to be caught by Bryson.

Referee Brian Winter had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but the Killie players clearly felt Barrowman had dived.

Combe belted the ball into the stand in anger and several more than Combe and James Fowler might have been booked.

But Barrowman kept his cool to crash home the spot-kick.

Killie were reduced to 10men late in the game when Fowler picked up his second booking for handball.

Caley finally sealed the win in the 81st minute when star man Black met an Iain Vigurs corner to nod into the top corner.

MATCH STATS

Shots on 7

Shots off 8

Offside 0

Fouls 19

Corners 8

Bookings 1

Shots on 0

Shots off 4

Offside 2

Fouls 20

Corners 0

Bookings 5

REF WATCH

BRIAN WINTER took centre stage over the controversial Caley Thistle penalty award but he looked to have got it right. He was left with no option but to send Fowler off for his second yellow card late in the game. Was too fussy at times and could have let play flow more. Rating: 6/10