Accies denied point against Rangers

Sep 16 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

MARCO PAIXAO believes Hamilton will continue to climb the SPL table – if they can keep up the level of performance which almost earned them a point against Rangers.

Hamilton more than held their own for long spells of the game against the SPL champions, only to lose the game in the dying minutes to a Kenny Miller goal.

After Nikica Jelavic had headed Rangers into an early lead, Marco played a major part in Accies’ equaliser; his cross sliced past Allan McGregor in the visiting goal by Madjid Bougherra.

As the minutes ticked away to what looked like a well-deserved draw, Accies were left stunned by Miller’s strike in the final minute.

“Rangers scored in the last minute and it was unbelievable that we could lose a goal in that way,” admitted the Portuguese striker, still coming to terms with the late drama of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

“If we had scored again, we would have won the game – we had chances. However, I was very happy with the performance of the team.

“We’ve got a few new guys in and they are playing well now, but it’s sad because we could have got a point.

“The manager told us that if we keep playing like that, we’ll climb the table. If we play like that, I think we can do brilliant things in this league.”

Hamilton boss Billy Reid handed a debut to Jim Goodwin in defence in place of Grant Gillespie and the big Irishman looked the part.

Martin Canning stepped back into defence following his suspension, while Kyle Wilkie sat the game out

Accies started the match brightly and, within the first minute, Marco Paixao’s cross from the left was plucked from the head of twin Flavio at the back post by McGregor.

Hamilton were denied what looked like a decent penalty claim when Nigel Hasselbaink darted into the box before being tripped by Sasa Papac, but referee Alan Muir waved play on.

However, Rangers quickly set Hamilton back with a goal in six minutes. Kyle Lafferty raced down the left before sending an inch-perfect cross for Jelavic at the back post and he headed the ball beyond Tomas Cerny.

Marco Paixao almost levelled the match on 15 minutes, his curling effort from outside the box clawed away from the top corner by McGregor.

Three minutes later, Hasselbaink created space for Simon Mensing, and his through-ball released Marco Paixao, but his shot flew wide of the left post.

Rangers could have doubled their lead in 23 minutes when Jelavic raced down the right but his cutback was too far ahead of James Beattie and too wide for Lafferty to get a decent shot on goal.

Cerny pushed a Jelavic effort around the post on the half-hour mark before saving another shot from the Croatian, with Beattie firing the rebound wide.

Rangers replaced the injured Kirk Broadfoot with Ricky Foster in 42 minutes and the former Aberdeen man’s first act was to inadvertently head the ball into Hasselbaink’s path, but despite the striker doing well to force his way past two defenders, McGregor blocked the Dutchman’s low shot with his legs.

Hamilton got the goal their play deserved in 56 minutes when Marco Paixao fired in a low cross which Bougherra sliced into his own net.

Hamilton threatened in 68 minutes when Dougie Imrie played a neat through-ball to Flavio Paixao and he curled a shot wide of the right post

Miller, on the bench with Rangers’ trip to Manchester United in mind, replaced Lafferty in 72 minutes and provided the spark for the visitors.

The Scotland striker quickly set up Jelavic, but Cerny blocked well with his right foot.

As time ticked away, Canning was short with a headed passback and sub Lee McCulloch anticipated the error and fed Miller, who clipped the ball over the onrushing Cerny and into the net.

HAMILTON: Cerny, Goodwin, Canning, Graham, Buchanan, Routledge, Mensing, Imrie, F. Paixao, M. Paixao, Hasselbaink (Casalinuovo, 61). Subs (not used): Murdoch, Skelton, McDonald, Lyle, Thomas, Gillespie.

Booked: Goodwin, Graham.

RANGERS: McGregor, Broadfoot (Foster, 42), Weir, Papac, Bougherra, Edu, Davis, Beattie (McCulloch, 66), Jelavic, Naismith, Lafferty (Miller, 72). Subs (not used): Alexander, Weiss, Little, Hutton.

Booked: Naismith, Papac.

Referee: Alan Muir.

Attendance: 5356.

Advertiser Man of the Match: David Buchanan – kept Steven Naismith quiet for most of the game and looked comfortable throughout.