Familiar story as St Johnstone enjoy another win against Hamilton

Posted Sunday, September 02, 2018 by PA

St Johnstone’s hold over Hamilton in the Ladbrokes Premiership continued with a 2-1 victory at the Hope Stadium.

Blair Alston grabbed his first goal of the season from close range before David McMillan doubled St Johnstone’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

Accies gave themselves hope when Rakish Bingham drilled a low shot beyond Zander Clark.

However, they were unable to find an equaliser as their dismal run against the Saints stretched to only one win in their last 12 league meetings.

St Johnstone moved to third after their first away win while Accies slipped to 10th.

Accies had gone on a deadline-day shopping spree with James Keatings, Scott Martin, Fredrik Brustad and Matt Kilgallon all brought in but none of them featured.

Nevertheless, they started brightly as Bingham bulldozed his way past Jason Kerr but shot straight at Clark in goal, before Steven Boyd curled an effort which was deflected wide.

Saints had barely threatened but opened the scoring after 37 minutes.

Accies could not clear their lines from a Scott Tanser free-kick, and the visitors’ persistence paid off as Alston bundled in the rebound after a McMillan effort was saved by Gary Woods.

Tommy Wright’s men made it 2-0 before the interval. Richard Foster’s delivery eluded everybody before McMillan headed in at the back post.

Lenny Sowah replaced Tom Taiwo at the break for Accies but it was Saints who looked more dangerous with Tony Watt having a couple of sights of goal.

Hamilton boss Martin Canning looked to force the issue after 62 minutes with a double substitution as Sam Kelly and Dougie Imrie replaced Aaron McGowan and Delphin Tshiembe.

However, it was Saints who should have gone further ahead but McMillan fired wide from Watt’s in-swinging delivery.

Accies gave themselves a foothold in the game when they halved the deficit after 69 minutes with Bingham’s shot drilled into the corner.

Canning’s men desperately searched for an equaliser but Saints held on for victory and could have added a third goal but substitute Chris Kane fired wide at the end.