Accies' new era starts with defeat
Sean Dillon's second-half header gave Dundee United a 3-2 win at Hamilton to ensure Martin Canning's tenure as Accies' interim player-manager got off to a dramatic but ultimately losing start.
The 33-year-old defender, promoted on Friday after Alex Neil left for Norwich City, dropped himself for Jesus Garcia Tena and watched helplessly from the side as Tannadice midfielder Stuart Armstrong drove in the 38th-minute opener from distance.
When winger Gary Mackay-Steven made it 2-0 seconds after half-time it looked a long way back for the home side but they were given a lifeline in the 57th minute when Garcia Tena scored with a free-kick, with Ali Crawford equalising in the 71st to set up a storming finale.
The New Douglas Park side had the momentum but it was United who came out on top when skipper Dillon headed in from a corner to take the visitors into third place.
However, the home support applauded their side off the park at the end, recognising they effort they had put in to come back into the game.
While Hamilton made only the one change, United boss Jackie McNamara made three with Blair Spittal, Charlie Telfer and Aidan Connolly in for Keith Watson, John Rankin and Chris Erskine, who all started on the bench.
With the first chance of the match after four minutes, Garcia Tena headed an Ali Crawford corner over the bar from 12 yards when he appeared to have the time and space to at least hit the target.
At the other end, United striker Nadir Ciftci hooked a shot from the edge of the box over the bar after being set up by Telfer.
In between that, the home fans applauded for a minute or so, apparently in tribute to former player-manager Neil.
Nothing much happened in the goalmouths until the 33rd minute when a free-flowing United move ended with Telfer playing in Connolly, whose angled drive flashed across the Accies goal with keeper and captain Michael McGovern glad to see it going past.
Moments later Telfer fired wide from the edge of the box but Armstrong showed him how it should be done from around 25 yards out, when, after taking a pass from Connolly, he took a touch and rifled a drive low past McGovern, giving the visitors a half-time lead that was probably deserved.
While the PA announcer was telling the pitifully small crowd of 2,384 that Louis Longridge had replaced Stephen Hendrie for the start of the second half for Accies, the Tannadice side went two up.
It was all too easy for Mackay-Steven when he was put in by Armstrong and he slipped the ball past the onrushing McGovern.
Ciftci missed a decent chance moments later, slicing his angled shot wide, as United looked to be turning the screw.
However, Accies showed the spirit that had kept them unbeaten in 10 games at home.
Garcia Tena curled in a wonderful free-kick from 25 yards, after Calum Butcher fouled Tony Andreu, and suddenly the Taysiders did not look too comfortable.
And there was more drama when Accies drew level. Andreu's perfectly-weighted pass split the United defence and although Cierzniak blocked Crawford's initial shot, the Hamilton player took advantage of the break of the ball to hook it into the unguarded net.
But the game swung again towards Tayside when Dillon rose at the back post to head in a corner from Erskine, who had replaced Connolly.
Accies raced up the park where Crawford lofted the ball over Cierzniak but also the bar, to the frustration of the home support.
As Hamilton left gaps in their bid to get back into the game, McGovern had to make a double save, first from Armstrong and then Erskine, before tipping a Ciftci drove over the bar.
Canning brought himself on for Garcia Tena with two minutes remaining but to no avail, as United held out to move behind Celtic and leaders Aberdeen.
Source: PA
