Sloppy Accies defending leads to title race setback

Feb 21 2008 By Andy McGilvray at McDiarmid Park

St Johnstone... 2 Hamilton......... 1 HAMILTON saw their lead at the top of the First Division cut to four points as their McDiarmid Park hoodoo continued on Saturday.

Accies haven’t won a league game in Perth since March, 2005, and that poor record continued as Saints came back from a 1-0 half-time deficit against Billy Reid’s men for the second time this season.

While the performance wasn’t a patch on last week’s thrilling display against Dunfermline, Accies looked worthy of a win until two defensive lapses let Derek McInnes’s side back into the match – and the title race, albeit with a 10-point lead to catch up.

Hamilton now go into Saturday’s home match against Livingston knowing that defeat will almost certainly see their lead cut to just a point.

Accies headed to Perth with one change from the previous Saturday’s team. Mark McLaughlin returned from suspension, replacing Chris Swailes who was on the bench.

Saints registered the first chance in 14 minutes when Liam Craig’s corner was knocked out to Peter MacDonald, who sent a half-volley past the left post.

Hamilton should have taken the lead in 18 minutes when Tom Parratt sent Richard Offiong down the right and his cross was bundled past the left post by unmarked Simon Mensing – and the former Saints midfielder knew he should have scored.

Brian Easton was forced to clear off the line in 22 minutes when Andy Jackson sent a wicked ball across the face of goal.

Five minutes later Irvine sent Jackson through, but the young striker could only find the side-net. Captain Alex Neil then saw a 30-yard drive well saved by Alan Main.

Accies took the lead in 31 minutes when Neil sent a delightful cross over to Mark Gilhaney on the left, the winger checked inside past Irvine and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the bottom right corner.

Neil had picked up a calf strain during the first half and, after trying to run it off at half-time under the supervision of sports therapist Avril Downs, the midfield ace was forced off after just three minutes of the second period, with James McCarthy an able replacement.

St Johnstone showed a glimpse of what was to come in 51 minutes when Jackson darted past McLaughlin on the left before cutting the ball back to MacDonald, but the veteran striker sent his drive over from 10 yards.

Five minutes later MacDonald beat Parratt on the left before sending an inviting ball across the six-yard box, but sub Steve Milne swept it past.

Kevin Rutkiewicz thought he had equalised for Saints in 72 minutes but the ‘goal’ was chalked off for a foul on keeper Bryn Halliwell.

But Saints had to wait less than 60 seconds before MacDonald’s neat crossfield ball left Accies’ defence flat-footed and Liam Craig composed himself before lashing a half-volley past helpless Halliwell.

Three minutes later Parratt was short with a pass-back, MacDonald pounced and deftly lobbed Halliwell with the ball judged to have crossed the line, despite Easton’s best efforts.

Reid had thrown on James Grady for ineffectual Offiong in 59 minutes, and 27 minutes later the veteran striker found Mensing with a headed knock-on, but the midfielder drove over.

Two minutes into stoppage time a defensive lapse by Saints let Grady through, but the striker failed to capitalise and former Gretna team-mate Main was able to gather.

HAMILTON: Halliwell, Parratt (Waterworth, 86), Easton, Mensing, Elebert, McLaughlin, Graham, McArthur, Offiong (Grady, 59), Neil (McCarthy, 48), Gilhaney. Subs (not used): Swailes, Cerny. Booked: Neil.
Referee: Euan Norris.
Attendance: 2973.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Mark Gilhaney – scored a terrific goal and was one of few to shine.