Hamilton Academical 0-3 Aberdeen

• Aberdeen narrow gap at top to three points

• Dons extend unbeaten league run to 12 games

• Accies' run without win now seven games

• No wins under player-boss Martin Canning

Two goals within the first eight minutes set Aberdeen on their way to a victory over Hamilton Accies that narrows the gap with leaders Celtic.

Andrew Considine put the Dons ahead after only five minutes from close range and Ryan Jack added the second.

Linesman Dave McGeachie then failed to spot that the ball had crossed the goal line after Adam Rooney's shot struck the underside of Hamilton's crossbar.

But Neil McGinn did add a third after Accies' Jesus Garcia Tena was sent off.

The victory took the Dons back to within three points of Celtic, although the Scottish Premiership leaders have a game in hand.

Willo Flood had raised eyebrows before the game by becoming the first Aberdeen player to deviate from the Dons media training brief of playing it coy about being able to challenge the reigning champions for the title.

However, the words of the former Celtic midfielder, who was left on the bench as Peter Pawlett was preferred as a replacement for Cammy Smith in the starting line-up, might be heeded more after they stretched their unbeaten league run to 12 games.

Accies, who went into this one without a win in six games since Martin Canning took over as player-manager from Alex Neil, again started without any of their new signings.

International clearance has not yet come through from Greece following Nigel Hasselbaink's move from Veria and, while Czech midfielder Nicolas Sumsky at least made the bench, there was also no sign of Brazilian defender Lucas Tagliapietra.

Adam Rooney's shot crossed the line after hitting the underside of the crossbar, but not goal was given

Accies' frustration intensified in the opening minutes and the Dons had already threatened through Jonny Hayes before early pressure led to the opener.

McGinn's cross was headed on by Rooney at the front post, Ziggy Gordon could only direct it towards his own goal and, although goalkeeper Michael McGovern scooped it off the line, Considine was on hand to finish.

Winger McGinn was again the provider within two minutes of the restart, this time raiding down the left wing and Jack made the connection at the front post.

Accies were looking disjointed and Shay Logan missed a glorious opportunity to extend the lead further when the right-back stole in at the back post but headed wide from eight yards.

The home side worked themselves back into the game and a Tena header and two Stephen Hendrie efforts threatened the Dons goal.

When Accies did find the target, outrushing goalkeeper Scott Brown did enough to block Jason Scotland's low shot and Mark Reynolds was on hand to clear as the ball trickled towards the goal-line.

The game should have been dead as a contest when Rooney's shot from 12 yards struck the underside of the bar and crossed the line by about a foot, yet referee Willie Collum waved play on after it again struck the bar.

McGovern saved well from Pawlett and Rooney before Tena was dismissed after a 59th-minute body check on McGinn.

Considine and substitute David Goodwillie both had the ball in the Hamilton net only to have their celebrations cut short by infringements, with the offside call for the second incident also looking dubious.

McGovern again denied Considine superbly, but the left-back still had time to play McGinn through on goal for a clinical finish.

The presence of former boss Alex Neil could not inspire Accies to victory

Andrew Considine pounced to fire Aberdeen ahead at New Douglas Park

Ryan Jack put Aberdeen 2-0 ahead within eight minutes

Adam Rooney shows his frustration after having what he thought was a goal ruled out

Jesus Garcia Tena was sent off by Willie Collum after a second yellow card