Hamilton 1-0 St Johnstone: Accies grind out win

Alex Neil failed a late fitness test ahead of this New Douglas Park clash.

But there was a silver lining in the Lanarkshire gloom as it gave him the chance to witness his team prove they are in great shape to survive the Premiership examination which lies ahead of them.

Impressive winners against St Mirren in the week, Accies weren’t quite as good here when toppling the Scottish Cup holders.

They dug in though, to make it six points picked up in just four days.

And that, as their player/ manager argued, strongly suggests they can prove the bookies who made them clear favourites to go down wrong.

“A lot of people wrote us off and said ‘Hamilton are doomed’ all that sort of thing,” he said.

“But after just three game we have already shown we are a wee bit more than that.

“We have got real quality and a great work ethic. The strength will come from the group because they will work their socks off for each other.

“We will not win every game, we know that but we will go and we will give it our best shot.

“If the guys play to their potential there is no reason why we won’t continue to upset teams and do well in the league.

“It was great to watch, standing at the standline watching your team play that way is really pleasing.

“The only thing was that we weren’t ahead more at half/time.”

Accies were certainly impressive with lots of neat passing movements and plenty of attacking intent.

Their opener, it has to be said though, was a scruffy affair.

Darian MacKinnon’s 20 yard shot from the edge of the box got the power taken off it from a deflection.

Happily for Hamilton, it helped with the direction with his effort beating the dive of Alan Mannus to settle in the corner of the net.

Not that the jubilant scorer cared, “To come from the Juniors to the Premiership is crazy it is a dream, just amazing really.

“I was 25 years old playing at Clydebank and just praying someone would come in for me.

“Hamilton did and to be involved in these games and playing at all these great stadiums is just fantastic .

“I will watch the DVD and my wee sister will have all the press cuttings looked out for here scrapbook.”

Saints had a claim for a penalty late on when the ball appeared to strike Jesus Garcia Tena on the hand but referee Bobby Madden was not impressed and waved play on.

In truth even a draw would have been harsh on Accies. Mannus pulled off a terrific stop to turn over Crawford’s shot from the edge of the box.

He had Steven Anderson to thank too for the excellent goalline clearance which denied Stephen Hendrie.

It wasn’t the defender’s only significant contribution to the entertainment with his fiercely hit effort rattling the Accies crossbar.