Inverness 2 - 1 Kilmarnock: Black cloud hangs over Killie as Inverness birthday boy steals show

Published on Saturday 14 March 2009 21:23

HE'S already enjoyed the highs of a last-minute winning penalty against Rangers at Ibrox this month and the excitement of his imminent summer switch to Hearts.

Now man of the moment Ian Black has another memorable March moment to celebrate after marking his 24th birthday with the winning free-kick strike that may yet secure Inverness Caley's place in the SPL next term.

His 21st minute goal, which added to Richie Foran's strike, put Inverness on easy street before a late first-half effort by Simon Ford gave them something to think about in the second period.

However, their fine form under Terry Butcher continued as they bravely held on for the win that drags Kilmarnock, Falkirk and St Mirren into a four-way fight for survival.

"I'm delighted for Ian as his attitude is spot on," said Caley manager Terry Butcher. "He didn't train on Friday because his daughter isn't well but thankfully the news from the doctors is good on that front.

"The irony is that he missed my new set-piece routines because he was off but that didn't stop him from scoring a free-kick. I'd like to take credit for his goal but I'll leave it all to Blackie and possibly give him the day off again next Friday."

It could have been a different kind of anniversary for Black as Kilmarnock only had themselves to blame for failing to capitalise on their early chances. Without a win in 2009, Inverness was hardly the sort of place Kilmarnock wanted to visit to try and get off the mark.

Defeat seemed unthinkable for Killie at kick-off but fully believable at full-time when referee Mike Tumilty blew his whistle to confirm that the Ayrshire club are indeed deep in the relegation battle.

Yet it all started so promisingly for Jim Jefferies' men. Playing with a real hunger, desire and drive early on, they could and should have been ahead long before Inverness ventured into their half.

Jamie Hamill set up their first chance inside 50 seconds as he sent Craig Bryson clear, and only the boot of Ryan Esson denied him.

Bryson from netting from ten yards.

Kilmarnock were rampant at this point and Inverness were struggling to cope with the aerial threat of Kevin Kyle. The former Scotland international's f His flick on provided the next chance, with Danny Invincibile racing clear but the Australian couldn't get enough weight on his strike and Esson saved easily.

As the half wore on, Inverness began to find their feet and made Kilmarnock pay with two strikes inside four minutes.

The first, on 18 minutes, was a disaster for Kilmarnock keeper Alan Combe who had raced off his line to try and collect a Ross Tokely cross, only to be out-jumped by Foran who duly headed into the net.

Three minutes later the home side were two up as Black's wind-assisted 25 -yard free kick evaded everyone en-route past Combe.

Kilmarnock threw a major spanner in the works hit back deep into first-half injury time as Simon Ford headed in Garry Hay's cross, and Kilmarnock almost levelled things up straight after the break as Esson parried Gavin Skelton's half volley was pushed away by Esson.

However, the visitors were failing to break down the home defence and are now just a point ahead of in-form Inverness, with St Mirren and Falkirk also in the dogfight. "We're in a battle down there but I believe we have enough fight and spirit about us to battle," said Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies.