Livingston 0-0 Hamilton: Winless runs continue for both sides

Livingston and Hamilton Academical's winless Scottish Premiership runs continue as both sides played out a 0-0 stalemate at the Tony Macaroni Arena.

It will feel like two points dropped for Gary Holt as his side passed up chances, including a Jon Guthrie header that struck the inside of a post.

As for Brian Rice, it will be a welcome point after Accies failed to register a shot on target.

The point takes Livingston seventh, as Hamilton move up two places to ninth.

• Reaction & as it happened

Two points dropped for Livi as winless run continues

This was a game befitting of two teams who have lost the knack of winning matches.

To be fair to Livingston, whose winless run now stretches to seven games, they were the side to show the greater initiative from the outset as they pressed for an early goal.

Sam Stubbs presented them with their first opportunity, slipping to allow Lyndon Dykes to set up Scott Pittman, but his first-time shot was pushed away by Luke Southwood.

Southwood had to work even harder to keep his side level shortly afterwards. Steve Lawson curled in a free kick from the left, which was met by the head of Guthrie. His effort came off the inside of a post and looked to be spinning over the line before the goalkeeper scooped it away to safety.

Disappointingly, that was as close as there was to a goal in the entire game, though the home side continued to dominate.

Robbie Crawford battered a shot goalwards that was deflected into Southwood's arms while, at the other end, Matija Sarkic was a virtual spectator.

Livingston claimed vociferously for a penalty for handball on the line by Stubbs but replays appeared to show it hit the defender's midriff.

Steven Lawless had a late drive saved by the steady Southwood but that was as exciting as it got.

Livingston will curse their inability to turn their superiority into goals as both sides' winless runs continue, though Accies can take solace that they did not lose any further ground on their opponents.

Man of the match - Luke Southwood

Arguably nobody did enough to take this accolade but the Accies goalkeeper prevented his side from falling to a second consecutive defeat.

Making just his second appearance for the club, he stood firm under fairly significant pressure at times. A clean sheet and a point from a game in which Accies were second best.

'We need to be a bit braver' - reaction

Livingston manager Gary Holt: "We tried to work the perfect opening. We need to be a bit braver. We've had a lot of the ball and it's been a different game plan for us to open a team up."

Hamilton Academical manager Brian Rice: "Any time you come to Livingston and take something from the match, you've done something right. It's a difficult place to come. I'm delighted to come here and get a clean sheet."