Match ends, Kilmarnock 1, Hamilton Academical 2.
KilmarnockKilmarnock1HamiltonHamilton Academical2
Hamilton Academical came from a goal behind to end Kilmarnock's resurgence in the league.
The hosts opened the scoring in the first half through Greg Kiltie and had chances to net again before the break.
Hamilton made them pay after Dougie Imrie and Ali Crawford struck with ruthless intent.
To add to Kilmarnock's woes, Lee Ashcroft was dismissed in time added on for pulling back Imrie as he raced through on goal.
There was barely a distinguishing feature between the two sides. That was a consequence of their similar styles and merits, and the game was such an even contest that the team's essentially cancelled each other out.
The most impressive interventions tended to come from Kilmarnock players in the opening half, with Mark O'Hara solid and intrepid at right-back, Kallum Higginbotham busy in midfield and Josh Magennis powerful up front.
Kiltie was the most prominent, although for a spell he would not have wished for the distinction. He twice spurned opportunities to score, with one effort saved and the other blocked, but he eventually revelled in his involvement.
Higginbotham's vision and touch were critical, as he sent his teammates through on goal, but Kiltie's finish was composed as he slipped his shot past Michael McGovern, the Hamilton goalkeeper.
Kilmarnock still had cause for regrets, though, as Magennis's header was saved and Topi Obadeyi volleyed wide, but the first-half was a satisfying spell for the home side.
Hamilton had not been indifferent, but their attacking play was not as sharp. Ali Crawford was twice thwarted by the Kilmarnock goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald, and Imrie felt he had been bundled over inside the penalty area by Obadeyi.
A period of reflection was seized upon by the visitors. They were resurgent after the interval and Imrie equalised with a fierce volley that he lashed over MacDonald and in off the underside of the bar.
Dominance wasn't achieved by either side, but Hamilton were the more resourceful side in the final third.
Crawford was certainly the quickest to react as Greg Docherty made space on the right to cross, and Crawford turned the ball into the net from inside the six yard box.
Kilmarnock did not succumb to a sense of resignation and there was a fresh impetus as they chased an equaliser.
Hamilton had to defend robustly, although there was also good fortune after McGovern dived to stop Kevin McHattie's free-kick. The ball broke out towards Kiltie, but was scrambles clear before he could finish.
The home side's determination to equalise was occasionally troublesome for them. When a set-piece was cleared, Hamilton broke swiftly upfield on a counter attack and Imrie broke clear only to be bundled over by Ashcroft.
It was the edge of the area, but a red card wasn't shown and a penalty wasn't awarded. There was further frustration for Hamilton when Ziggy Gordon's header was cleared off the line by Craig Slater.
Even in time added on, the drama did not relent. When Imrie broke clear again, Ashcroft tangled with he forward again, pulling him to the ground. This time, he was shown a straight red card by the referee Don Robertson.
Line-ups
Kilmarnock
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 21MacDonald
- 14O'Hara
- 18AshcroftBooked at 90mins
- 26Balatoni
- 22McHattie
- 4HamillSubstituted forRobinsonat 66'minutesSubstituted forSplaineat 75'minutes
- 19Slater
- 11Higginbotham
- 23Kiltie
- 16ObadeyiSubstituted forBoydat 66'minutes
- 28Magennis
Substitutes
- 1Ridgers
- 3Smith
- 8Robinson
- 9Boyd
- 17Splaine
- 24Syme
- 39Frizzell
Hamilton
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1McGovern
- 2Gordon
- 24Tena
- 44De Lima Tagliapietra
- 3KurakinsBooked at 68mins
- 6Gillespie
- 7ImrieBooked at 56mins
- 21DochertySubstituted forLyonat 79'minutes
- 11Crawford
- 12Kurtaj
- 14MorrisSubstituted forNadeat 60'minutes
Substitutes
- 9D'Acol
- 10Redmond
- 15Sendles-White
- 17Longridge
- 19Hill
- 22Lyon
- 27Nade
- Referee:
- Don Robertson
- Attendance:
- 3,308
Match Stats
Home TeamKilmarnockAway TeamHamilton
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away6
- Corners
- Home6
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home16
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Kilmarnock 1, Hamilton Academical 2.
Post update
Attempt saved. Ali Crawford (Hamilton Academical) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Dismissal
Lee Ashcroft (Kilmarnock) is shown the red card.
Post update
Foul by Lee Ashcroft (Kilmarnock).
Post update
Dougie Imrie (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Hand ball by Dougie Imrie (Hamilton Academical).
Post update
Kevin McHattie (Kilmarnock) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Dougie Imrie (Hamilton Academical).
Post update
Jesus Garcia Tena (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Lee Ashcroft (Kilmarnock).
Post update
Hand ball by Christian Nade (Hamilton Academical).
Post update
Foul by Kevin McHattie (Kilmarnock).
Post update
Dougie Imrie (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Conrad Balatoni (Kilmarnock).
Post update
Christian Nade (Hamilton Academical) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Ziggy Gordon (Hamilton Academical) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Corner, Hamilton Academical. Conceded by Kallum Higginbotham.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jesus Garcia Tena (Hamilton Academical) left footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the right is blocked.
Booking
Lee Ashcroft (Kilmarnock) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
