Match Report

St Mirren pulled away from basement side Hamilton with a deserved 1-0 win at Love Street on a freezing cold December afternoon.

The win was no more than Gus MacPherson's side deserved from a match they dominated for large spells.

On Hamilton's part it wasn't a lack of effort that was at fault, but they simply didn't have enough answers up front to test a strong Saints rearguard.

The Paisley boss might claim an inspired substitution as his decision to pitch on Craig Dargo instead of Dennis Wyness changed the face of this game - and the former Inverness striker had the ball in the net ten minutes later.

Saints started well and could have taken the lead inside the opening two minutes when Wyness latched onto a superb throughball, but Tomas Cerny superbly raced off his line to block with his chest and Andy Dorman could only head the rebound over.

After three minutes, a Tony Stevenson cross caused havoc in the St Mirren defence and Richard Offiong was able to pick out Simon Mensing, but his curled effort flew past the right post.

Hamilton nearly took the lead on 20 minutes when James McArthur played a delightful ball through for James McCarthy and he snaked a foot out hopefully, but nearly prodded the ball under Mark Howard.

Chris Swailes was forced into good covering work to hack clear when Dorman attempted to launch a diving header on goal after 23 minutes.

Garry Brady had a fierce half-volley palmed past the right post by Cerny after 30 minutes.

But Accies should have taken the lead three minutes later when Stevenson's cross from the right was headed on but Swailes, sliding in, could only divert the ball past the left post.

Hamilton started the second half well and Offiong fired a low snapshot inches past the right post on 50 minutes.

Five minutes later, Brady was forced to hook the ball away to prevent Mensing's cross from reaching Offiong.

But Saints took a grip of the game thereafter and on 56 minutes Stephen McGinn sent a curling effort inches past the right post.

Two minutes later, Jack Ross was sent down the right and his cross found McGinn but his shot was deflected wide.

Dorman's fierce shot was well parried by Cerny on the hour-mark, with Swailes hacking clear before Wyness could get onto the rebound.

Wyness was then withdrawn for Dargo and on 79 minutes St Mirren had the points sewn up.

A wonderful flowing move ended when Dorman released Ross down the right and his cut back was slammed into the net by Dargo.

Saints could have doubled their lead three minutes later but Hugh Murray saw his effort drift past the top right corner from 25 yards.

Corners

Fouls

Goal attempts

Shots off target

Offsides