Hibernian 3-2 Hamilton Academical: Jack Ross 'frustrated' despite win

Head coach Jack Ross found it "a little bit frustrating" that Hibernian had to survive a two-goal fightback to beat Hamilton Academical.

With Ryan Fulton ruled out with Covid-19, debutant Accies goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay was beaten twice by Kevin Nisbet, then by Paul Hanlon.

But a Ross Callachan penalty and a Ryan Porteous' own goal ensured a nervous finish for Hibs.

"We had elements of sloppiness and I've got to credit Hamilton," Ross said.

"Some would have thrown in the towel at 3-0 and they didn't do that.

"To have to run the ball into the corner flag in the last minute is a little bit frustrating because we were very good for large parts of the game."

• Hibs near deal for St Mirren's Magennis

• Reaction & as it happened

Hibs held on to end a run of three home games without a win, with Nisbet heading to the top of the Scottish Premiership scoring charts with six goals and his team moving to within three points of leaders Rangers.

Accies might argue that Paul McGinn could have been sent off when pulling down Marios Ogkmpoe for a penalty the Greek had saved by Ofir Marciano at 2-0, but Hibs could have had a more handsome lead by then had it not been for Gourlay.

Hamilton head coach Brian Rice's preparations had already been hampered by the loss of his first-choice goalkeeper - whose absence is being covered by the short-term signing of Ryan Scully - and he had to reshuffle his pack early on after combative defender Shaun Want was forced off.

In truth, Accies' defence was already all at sea by then, Rice's decision to play five at the back failing to stem the tide of swift Hibs attacks spearheaded by fleet-footed Martin Boyle.

It was the Australia winger who won the free-kick that presented Nisbet the chance to curl a low drive past Gourlay to open the scoring.

The summer signing from Dunfermline Athletic added the second before the break, his header from a Joe Newell cross going in off the underside of the bar and Gourlay's fingertips.

Hibs survived a scare when McGinn only received a yellow card for pulling down Ogkmpoe on the edge of the penalty box and the Greek's spot kick was pushed away by the goalkeeper.

The home side's dominance continued through Hanlon's close-range header, but there was still to be drama in the final 15 minutes as Porteous brought down Callum Smith, Callachan despatched the penalty, and the Hibs centre-half then headed Smith's cross into his own net.

Man of the match - Kevin Nisbet

Kevin Nisbet was a constant threat up front and came close to a hat-trick

What did we learn?

Hibs lie in third place as the top four begin to pull away from the rest of the league, but they remain a Jekyll and Hyde force with a soft centre.

They threatened to overwhelm Hamilton with the speed of their attacks and precision passing, but they were left hanging on for dear life as weaknesses in midfield and defence were laid bare by a side struggling one off the bottom of the Premiership.

Accies have constantly avoided relegation thanks to their battling qualities, but they looked uncharacteristically weak in the tackle and lacking in endeavour.

Head coach Rice is trying to impose a passing game on his side and could be faced with a choice of reverting to type if they continue to struggle at the wrong end of the table.

What they said

Hibs head coach Jack Ross: "Martin Boyle's form in the last two or three games is getting back to the form he was at in the second half of last season.

"The amount of opportunities Martin created, he could probably have walked off the park with six or seven assists."

Hamilton head coach Brian Rice: "First half, we were sitting off Hibs, making it too easy for them.

"Second half, we were lively and had spells when we had them under pressure. I know we will always keep going and keep going."

What's next?

With the Premiership taking a rest for a couple of weeks, Hibs host Highland League champions Brora Rangers on Wednesday, while Hamilton visit League Two side Annan Athletic the previous day.