Accies can’t kill off brave Livi Lions

Sep 27 2007

HAMILTON’S perfect record in the Irn-Bru First Division came to an end on Saturday as Livingston deservedly grabbed a point from New Douglas Park.

Although the Almondvale club rarely threatened, they enjoyed large periods of possession, while Hamilton’s performance was a shadow of that which saw them rocket to the top of the league.

Having said that, only some superb stops from keeper Marius Liberda kept Accies at bay in a first half they could easily have led 3-0.

Hamilton started the game brightly and when James McArthur’s neat diagonal ball released Mark Gilhaney from the left wing in six minutes he was unlucky to see Liberda save his powerful drive at the near post.

Five minutes later, Livi stopper Dave Mackay missed Gilhaney’s cross from the left, Richard Offiong picked it up inside the box, but Liberda saved his rising drive at the left corner.

Livingston then carved a great chance in 14 minutes when Steven Craig headed Graham Dorrans’ cross inches past the left post.

In 18 minutes Tom Parratt and McArthur linked well in midfield to send Offiong racing through on Liberda, but the keeper was able to block his low shot, and Gilhaney’s rebound cross was headed over by Parratt.

When Parratt sent a good ball into the box in 34 minutes Livi’s defence were at sixes and sevens, but midfielder Stuart Taylor blazed his shot well over.

Hamilton’s assistant manager went closer in 36 minutes when Mark McLaughlin stabbed a Gilhaney pass into his path, but Liberda did well to block his shot for a corner on the left.

Gilhaney swung the delivery into the box, the ball was headed on, and Taylor bulleted it home at the right post for a 37th-minute opener.

Livingston levelled in 54 minutes with their first meaningful charge forward. Snodgrass seized possession in midfield and sent Dorrans in on the right. His low, angled shot was blocked on the line by a combination of McArthur and Halliwell, but Craig was on hand to steer the loose ball home from close range.

Reid threw on substitutes Brian Wake and David Winters in 60 minutes, replacing Stuart Taylor and Richard Offiong.

Good, strong work in the box by Wake in 72 minutes brilliantly set up Gilhaney, but his drilled shot was superbly punched over the top left corner by on-form Liberda.

Four minutes later, Livingston sub Steven Weir sent in a shot as he lost his balance, with the ball landing just past the bottom right corner.

Hamilton kept at their visitors in a search of a winner, but Gilhaney could only blast over from 12 yards in 77 minutes after good work by Winters, although the sub striker may have been better placed to have a go.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Mark McLaughlin.

HAMILTON: Halliwell, Parratt, Easton, Taylor (Winters, 60), Elebert, McLaughlin, McCarthy (McLeod, 79), McArthur, Offiong (Wake, 60), Neil, Gilhaney. Subs (not used): Swailes, Cerny. Booked: McLaughlin.

PIC (accies goal):

TAYLOR MADE: Stuart Taylor puts Hamilton ahead against Livingston. (HA279607)