Hamilton Accies now in pole position

Mar 20 2008 Hamilton 1 Dundee 0

HAMILTON took a massive stride towards the First Division championship on Saturday after dumping title rivals Dundee in front of a record 5078 crowd.

James McArthur’s 18th-minute strike was enough to secure the win and open a six-point gap over the visitors, who were reduced to 10 men early in the second half after on-loan Hibs striker Mickael Antoine-Curier received a second yellow card for dissent.

Hamilton were better organised, well disciplined, and simply looked the hungrier and better side.

Dundee have a game in hand against Partick Thistle at Firhill on April 1, and Accies visit Dens Park on the final day of the season, but nonetheless this was a significant victory, and it could now be the case that Hamilton can only throw away the title.

Recognising the importance of Saturday’s New Douglas Park tussle, Accies boss Billy Reid started with his strongest-available squad.

Tony Stevenson came in for James McCarthy who was benched, while Xavier Barrau was dropped from the 16 as Mark Gilhaney stepped back in.

Hamilton started strongly and created the first chance in three minutes, when Stevenson’s free-kick from the left was punched by Dundee keeper Craig Samson only as far as Alex Neil on the edge of the box, but the midfielder’s cross was too far ahead of Richard Offiong.

Three minutes later Brian Easton played a neat one-two with Gilhaney on the left before winning a corner.

Stevenson’s put-in was headed high and wide by Offiong.

But Hamilton took the lead in 18 minutes when David Graham got his head to Stevenson’s curling free-kick from the left, producing a sprightly one-handed diving save from Samson, only for McArthur to pounce on the rebound and ram the ball into the net.

Dundee striker Colin McMenamin was fortunate to stay on the park in 25 minutes after sliding in late on goalkeeper Tomas Cerny for a ball that wasn’t there to be won. Furious Hamilton players surrounded the former Gretna hit-man with referee Mike Tumilty wading in to separate angry players.

As the stricken keeper received treatment McMenamin was booked along with Antoine-Curier.

Seconds later Paul McHale joined them for protesting too long, and that, coupled with Eddie Malone’s earlier caution, meant Dundee had four players booked in less than half an hour.

Hamilton could have doubled their lead when a slack passback by David Cowan released Gilhaney, but his low curling effort was well saved by Samson.

Dundee passed up their best chance of the half in 38 minutes when McHale’s cut-back from the right was hooked over by Antoine-Curier.

McHale also sent a dipping 30-yard effort inches over just before the interval.

After Dundee had forced a series of corners — none of which amounted to much — Paul Dixon was booked for a fierce challenge on David Graham in 53 minutes, making him the fifth Dundee player to be cautioned.

But he was joined seconds later by Antoine-Curier when far-side linesman Jeff Banks alerted the whistler to an offensive gesture apparently made by the forward, and he was promptly sent off.

Dundee went close in 58 minutes when Kevin MacDonald found space on the left before unleashing a low shot, but Cerny saved well.

Neat movement between Gilhaney and Simon Mensing released the midfielder down the right in 72 minutes, with his near-post shot beating Samson but crashing off the post.

Mensing turned provider two minutes later with a neat head-flick, but Gilhaney’s shot flew high and wide of the upright.

Easton was next to try his luck in 79 minutes, but after creating space for himself on the edge of the box, the defender blasted over.

Two minutes from time sub James Grady was sent through on Samson, but the keeper raced off his line to clear effectively enough.

Paul McHale made a hopeful protest for a penalty after going down under a Mensing challenge, but referee Tumilty waved the claim away.

HAMILTON: Cerny, Stevenson, Easton, Mensing, Elebert, McLaughlin, Graham (McCarthy, 69), McArthur, Offiong (Waterworth, 81), Neil, Gilhaney (Grady, 81). Subs (not used): Gibson, Halliwell.

Booked: Easton, Neil.

DUNDEE: Samson, Cowan, Dixon, MacDonald, McKenzie (Worrell, 66), Malone, McHale, Noubissie (Davidson, 83), McMenamin, Antoine-Curier, O’Brien (Lyle, 71). Subs (not used): Daquin, Roy.

Booked: Malone, McMenamin, Antoine-Curier, McHale, Dixon, Antoine-Curier, MacDonald.

Sent off: Antoine-Curier.

Referee: Mike Tumilty.

Attendance: 5078.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Alex Neil – outstanding in this high-stakes clash.