Hamilton Accies 1-2 St Mirren

St Mirren's Miranda (right) celebrates his opening goal

Hamilton lost their fourth successive SPL match as St Mirren left New Douglas Park with all three points.

Franco Miranda fired Saints in front after 17 minutes with a well-struck shot from the edge of the box.

But Jack Ross' own goal from Mark Corcoran's cross brought the home side level 10 minutes later.

Billy Mehmet missed a penalty before heading Saints back in front on 41 minutes and the home side could not force a second-half equaliser.

Hamilton were looking to recover from recent league defeats to Celtic, Falkirk and Hibernian while the Buddies arrived in Lanarkshire buoyed by a home win over Rangers before the international break.

St Mirren made inroads to the Hamilton goal early on when Garry Brady crossed towards Dennis Wyness but goalkeeper Tomas Cerny smothered the ball at the near post.

Hamilton's first chance came when David Graham crossed to striker Richard Offiong, who headed narrowly over the crossbar from 12 yards.

The visitors took the lead after 17 minutes when Steven Robb played the ball into the path of the onrushing Miranda, who took a touch before firing past Tomas Cerny.

But the home side hit back 10 minutes later after being awarded a free-kick on the right flank.

Mark Corcoran's in-swinging cross was headed past goalkeeper Mark Howard by St Mirren defender Ross.

Hamilton twice came close to going in front through Simon Mensing's header and James McCarthy's shot before St Mirren were awarded a controversial spot-kick on 33 minutes.

Robb worked his way into the box from the left-hand side and was challenged by Mensing.

Referee David Somers consulted his nearside assistant before awarding the penalty, which prompted complaints from the Accies players and Alex Neil was booked for dissent.

Hamilton's Corcoran (left) is challenged by defender Ross

Mehmet stepped up but his shot was parried well by Cerny, who also claimed the striker's tame rebound effort.

However, Mehmet atoned for that miss four minutes before half-time.

Hugh Murray headed Miranda's cross back across goal to Mehmet who bundled the ball towards goal and defender Chris Swailes could not prevent the ball creeping over the line.

The last notable incident of an eventful first half came when the pitch sprinklers inexplicably came on, causing a short interruption to proceedings.

Hamilton pushed for a second equaliser early in the second half when Offiong found McCarthy, whose attempted return pass to the striker was cleared by the Saints defence.

Cerny came to Hamilton's rescue after 61 minute when he blocked Steven Robb's close-range shot from Garry Brady's cross.

With 19 minutes remaining, McCarthy found space at the back post but his shot failed to trouble St Mirren goalkeeper Mark Howard.

Moments later, Brian Easton's low cross eventually landed at the feet of Offiong, who curled his effort over the bar.

McCarthy then retrieved the ball on the edge of the area and twisted and turned before unleashing a shot through a crowd of players which was held comfortably by Howard.

Saints ventured forward in an attempt to relieve some of the pressure on their defence and substitute Andy Dorman set up Gary Mason for a left-foot attempt, which Cerny blocked.

Hamilton continued to press for an elusive leveller and Offiong flicked on a long ball towards James McArthur but the midfielder's header was blocked by Howard, who then claimed the ball on the ground.

Victory lifts St Mirren above Hamilton in the league into seventh place, while Accies slip to second-bottom.

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Hamilton manager Billy Reid:
"The first goal was against the run of play, I thought we controlled the opening 20 minutes and found ourselves one goal one behind.

"We made a couple of changes at half-time and we were the team in the ascendancy but St Mirren looked dangerous on the break.

"I can't ask for anymore from my players but we're learning all the time and we're not despondent.

"For the amount of possession that we get, we have to be more clinical in front of goal. We pass the ball as good as anybody in the league and I think we've shown that today again."

St Mirren manager Gus MacPherson:
"It was important psychologically, coming off the back of winning the three points against Rangers, that we showed the right mental strength and we've done that.

"We deserved the victory, we've worked ever so hard for it against a good Hamilton team.

"We've got intelligent players who are more than capable of holding their own at this level of football.

"Any three points you get at this level, you have to earn. The most important thing is getting points on the board. The league table will only take shape after maybe 20 games."

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Hamilton: Cerny, Mensing (Casement 46), Canning, Swailes, Easton, McCarthy, McArthur, Neil, Corcoran (Akins 68), Offiong, Graham (Ettien 59).
Subs Not Used: Murdoch, Elebert, Lyle, Taylor.

Booked: Neil, Offiong.

Goals: Ross 27 og.

St Mirren: Howard, Ross, Haining, Potter, Miranda, Murray (Dorman 78), Mason, Brady, Robb (McGinn 74), Mehmet, Wyness (Dargo 74).
Subs Not Used: Smith, McAusland, McShane, Cuthbert.

Booked: Potter.

Goals: Miranda 17, Mehmet 41.

Att: 3,397

Ref: D Somers

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BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: St Mirren's Billy Mehmet 8.00 (on 90 minutes).

Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.

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