Kilmarnock 1-0 Hamilton

Aug 24 2008 Gavin Berry At Rugby Park

ITALIAN star Manuel Pascali saw his name go in to the referee's notebook for the third week in a row. But this time it was for the right reason as the shaven-headed midfielder, who feared he was being victimised for his hard man look, netted the winner against 10-man Hamilton.

Pascali picked up consecutive bookings in his first two games for Kilmarnock and had voiced his worry that he was being targeted by officials.

But the only reason Crawford Allan reached in to his pocket concerning the former Parma player was to pencil in the goal in first half injury-time that sealed the points for the home side and sent them joint top of the SPL.

And in a real turnaround it was Accies' David Graham who was given his marching orders o12 minutes from the end for a foul ON Pascali.

The Italian bulleted home a header right on half-time to inflict the Lanarkshire side's first defeat since returning to the top flight and ensure the Ayrshire team remain unbeaten after three games.

Killie fans now have a new cult hero and as the 26-year-old's name was announced as man of the match, the theme tune from the Godfather blared out the tannoy.

Pascali revealed his delight over his goal but insisted his biggest success was in not getting booked.

He said: "It's a fantastic day because I scored and we took three points from the league leaders.

"It's a dream for me but the thing I want to point out is that I wasn't booked by the referee and that's more important than getting man of the match.

"I don't know if I could become a target for players because of my image but it was a very bad tackle because he didn't take any of the ball. We have started very well.

"We will enjoy this win then think about the CIS Cup tie with Brechin City and the game against Dundee United.

"After that we have a week off for international duty and I will return to Italy because I don't have any clothes!

"I only ever wear my Kilmarnock tracksuit just now and that's a problem.

"Seriously, everything is perfect. I'm so happy and I want to say so much but my English is poor so I will have to leave it until I've had more lessons."

Killie have yet to concede a goal this season and now sit joint top of the SPL with Celtic, a great start for the team who finished second bottom of the league in May.

The home side had a good chance in 20 minutes, Frazer Wright's header from Mehdi Taouil's corner flying just over.

Accies should have taken heed of the danger from set pieces because that's exactly how the deadlock was broken right on half-time.

Tomas Cerny had denied Simon Ford with a brilliant point-blank save after the Jamaican international got on the end of Taouil's corner.

But the Czech keeper could nothing about the Moroccan midfielder's carbon copy corner as Pascali met it to bullet a header home.

Garry Hay had the ball in the net early in the second half but the referee had blown for a foul well before he struck and the Killie supporters' celebrations were short-lived.

The home side should have added a second when Conor Sammon sent Craig Bryson clean through.

The former Clyde man held off sub David Elbert but sent his shot just wide of the post with only Cerny to beat.

Accies' task was huge when Graham was sent off and Killie almost made it two when Cerny saved Danny Invincibile's shot with a foot.

REF WATCH

CRAWFORD ALLAN gave a solid performance and never looked under the cosh despite brandishing four cards, three yellow and one red. The whistler's decision to give Accies' David Graham a straight red was justifiable because the challenge was clearly reckless. Rating: 7/10.

MATCH STATS

KILMARNOCK

Shots on 3

Shots off 8

Fouls 3

Offside 11

Corners 12

Bookings 3

HAMILTON

Shots on 0

Shots off 5

Fouls 2

Offside 23

Corners 4

Bookings 1