Hamilton Academical 1-1 St Johnstone

Hamilton player-manager Martin Canning was sent off as his side remain without a win since he took over, being held to a draw with St Johnstone.

Ali Crawford gave the home side an early lead as Accies started on the front foot, beating goalkeeper Alan Mannus with a cute finish.

However Canning was red carded for a lunge at Michael O'Halloran.

That opened the door for the visitors, and Brian Graham headed home a late second-half equaliser.

Results elsewhere went in favour of Accies, who remain in the top six.

However it is now 12 games since Hamilton tasted a league victory, a 1-0 win over St Johnstone in January.

Accies began the game well and took the lead after just seven minutes.

Louis Longridge crossed the ball into the box from the right hand side and the Saints defence failed to clear.

The ball eventually fell straight at the feet of Crawford who clipped it over the advancing Alan Mannus and into the back of the net.

This was Crawford's ninth goal of the campaign, maintaining his spot as Accies top scorer.

The home side looked happy to sit back and defend their early lead and invite Saints to come forward, but they rarely threatened Michael McGoverns goal in the opening 45 minutes.

The only other real attempt in the first half came for the hosts from midfielder Darian MacKinnon, but his effort from 16 yards on the angle was well wide of the target.

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright brought on Simon Lappin at the break who replaced the ineffective Murray Davidson and the move almost paid dividends.

David Wotherspoon's cross onto the box caused havoc among the Accies back four and both Lappin and Graham came close to scoring the equaliser.

Saints were thrown a lifeline just before the hour mark when Hamilton were reduced to 10 men.

Hamilton's Ali Crawford (left) gave his side an early lead before Brian Graham equalised late on

O'Halloran was flying down the right wing but scythed down by Canning, leaving referee Greg Aitken with little choice other than show a straight red card.

And there was almost an immediate response by St Johnstone but Graham's header fell inches the wrong side of the post.

Graham though was duly rewarded when Lappin curled in a magnificent left foot cross onto his head, and the striker buried the ball into the bottom corner.

It was a just reward for Saints who were the better side in the second half.

And the Perth side almost made their extra man count in time added on when Brian Easton had a free header just eight yards out, but the defender failed to find the target.