With Lasley and Murphy missing, Craig Brown was forced to shuffle the pack. Forbes was given a rare start and Gow retained his place. Sutton was, once again, on the bench.
The early exchanges were indicative of the game to come. There were solid challenges, the ball was often in the air and neither keeper had much to do. Blackman again impressed with his ability to take a ball and turn his marker and in ten minutes he earned a shot but it flew high.
Hasslebank’s moment of glory came in 15 minutes when he let loose a low curling effort from the right edge of the box. It found Randolph’s right hand post and turned into the net. Hamilton then retreated into their familiar defensive shell and set out their stall to hold what they had.
Our main attacking threat was channelled through Humphrey and minutes before half time he played his part in our best chance. He beat McLaughin to the ball and produced a low drive across the face of the goal. Blackman was there to force the ball over the line but Canning barged him to the ground. The penalty was awarded but in a week deominated by refereeing controversy, Craig Thomson failed to show any card. Will we get an explanation? Hateley stepped up but his poor effort was saved.
The second half saw wave after wave of Motherwell attacks rebuffed by a resolute Accies rearguard. They killed the game, dithered over throw-ins and dead ball kicks and stuck to their task. We came close on a few occasions but Cerny was rarely troubled.
Gow almost earned the equaliser on the hour when a fine charge by Jennings into the box allowed Forbes to deliver a fine chip of a cross to Gow. The resulting header was kept from crossing the line by a fine one handed save from Cerny.
We’ll have to hope that a week’s rest and recovery will restore us to our strongest formation for the trip to Inverness.