Accies stretch their lead at top of table

Oct 11 2007

FIRST Division leaders Hamilton stretched their lead over second-placed Dundee to four points with this vital 2-0 win.

Late goals by Mark McLaughlin and substitute Paul McLeod made the difference in a game that otherwise had looked like heading for a 0-0 draw.

Defender McLaughlin struck in 83 minutes when David Winters’ free-kick from the left picked him out in a crowded box and his soaring header beat Craig Samson.

McLeod sealed the points in the last minute when Brian Wake tussled with a defender and the ball broke for the young striker to drill a shot into the bottom left corner from 19 yards.

Hamilton have now played every team in the First Division and suffered just one defeat — an impressive record.

Boss Billy Reid made two changes to the side that lost to St Johnstone last week.

David Elebert was brought in for Chris Swailes and Tony Stevenson took Stuart Taylor’s place.

Hamilton were denied a penalty in three minutes when Gary MacKenzie appeared to wrestle Richard Offiong to the ground but the striker went down easily and referee Dougie McDonald wasn’t interested.

Dundee threatened in 13 minutes when Gavin Swankie’s 20-yard free-kick broke off the wall. Kevin McDonald picked him out again on the left, and his curling shot was pushed past by Bryn Halliwell.

Hamilton should have been awarded a penalty in 21 minutes when Mark Gilhaney pounced on a defensive error and darted into the box only to be bundled down by Milan Palenik but again McDonald wasn’t interested.

In 31 minutes, Swankie’s cross from the left was heading for the lurking Zemlik but McLaughlin headed clear.

Hamilton nearly scored on the stroke of half-time when Stevenson’s corner from the left reached Elebert and his low drive sped past Samson but deflected off the luckless Offiong and past the right post.

The second half offered up few chances of note but McLaughlin went close again in 63 minutes when a short corner on the left from Stevenson found Gilhaney, whose cross was headed past by the big stopper.

Kevin McDonald should have scored for Dundee after going on a run through the defence in 78 minutes, but he side-footed the ball past the left post with just goalkeeper Halliwell to beat.

Hamilton then made Dundee pay for that miss by grabbing the goals that give them a healthy lead going into the international break this weekend.

Hamilton: Halliwell, Parratt, Easton, McCarthy, Elebert, McLaughlin, Winters (McLeod, 87), McArthur, Offiong (Wake, 70), Stevenson (Taylor, 68), Gilhaney. Subs (not used): Swailes, Cerny.

Dundee: Samson, Corrigan, Dixon, McDonald, MacKenzie, Palenik (Griffin, 56), Daquin, Robertson, Zemlik (Lyle, 75), McHale (Davidson, 85), Swankie. Subs (not used): Sturm, Rae.

Booked: Corrigan, McDonald.

Referee: Dougie McDonald.

Attendance: 3197.

Advertiser Man of the Match: Mark McLaughlin — commanding performance capped with a superb goal.