McGhee opted for width this time and set out the team with two wingers. O'Brien and Darren Smith were given the job of providing service to the central striking pair of Clarkson and Sheridan. Lasley and Fitzpatrick had to move to the bench to allow the alteration.

Sheridan rises

We were under pressure right away and Graeme Smith proved his worth with an excellent quick reaction save in four minutes. A strike from outside the box flicked off Deucher's head and the keeper's effort produced a hearty round of applause from the home support.

For much of the rest of the half Hamilton were on top. Their big lads caused us problems and the visitors looked the more likely to open the scoring. Our first chance came when a lovely move created by Hughes resulted in an inviting ball across the face of goal. Darren Smith was inches away from making contact at the far post.

It looked like we would reach the haven of the dressing room still level but moments before the whistle O'Brien and Hammell combined to set up Clarkson inside the six yard box. Accies could not believe that they were a goal down at the break.

Smith made another fine stop from a Neil volley ten minutes into the second half and the game started to flow from end to end. There was nothing much in the way of silky football from either team and the ball flew high. It was a hard fought encounter but it never boiled over.

We made a couple of defensive substitutions inside the last ten minutes and dug in to repel the frantic efforts of the visitors. At least two clearances flew over the east stand and the referee ended the game after an additional four nail-biting minutes.

The unbeaten run is now extended to nine games and we look forward to making it ten in Paisley on Thursday.