Hamilton Academical 1-0 Kilmarnock: Brian Rice praises his players second-half showing

Head coach Brian Rice says his Hamilton Academical players "stepped it right up" in the second half to claim their first home Scottish Premiership win of the season against 10-man Kilmarnock.

The hosts were second best in a first half, when Clevid Dikamona was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Scott Martin.

But Rice's men rallied in the second period as Ross Callachan's penalty earned a vital win that lifts Hamilton off the foot of the table to tenth.

"It's a great victory," Rice said.

"Based on our second half performance, we probably deserved to win the match. We've worked really hard on the training pitch and in the last three games you can see that."

• Reaction & as it happened

The game started in end-to-end fashion as Nicke Kabamba had a header saved comfortably by Ryan Fulton before the Hamilton goalkeeper's punt upfield was flicked on by the head of David Moyo into the path of Callum Smith, but his effort rose high over the bar.

After a frantic start, the visitors began to take control and they should have taken the lead after Eamonn Brophy did well to control a high ball before volleying past the top-right corner.

Alex Dyer's side were in command when Dikamona lunged dangerously into a challenge on Hamilton midfielder Scott Martin and Willie Collum sent the former Hearts man off.

It was the second consecutive league game and the fourth time this season that Kilmarnock had been reduced to 10 men.

But, despite having a man less, the visitors continued to press and could have found themselves in front just minutes later as Fulton punched a Mitch Pinnock free-kick straight into the path of Kabamba, but the striker could not keep his effort down.

Hamilton started the second half better, working the 10 men of Kilmarnock more with their passing, but the away side were still posing a greater threat.

However, the arrival of Nathan Thomas - on his first league appearance - sparked the home side as the 26-year-old made an instant impact, cutting in from the right and curling a shot towards the far-left corner which was parried away by Danny Rogers.

Martin then saw a lofted effort from the edge of the area loop just over the bar before Callachan converted from the spot after his effort in the area was ruled to have struck the hand of Haunstrup.

The visitors continued to press for an equaliser but could not create anything clear cut as Rice's men held firm.

Man of the match - Nathan Thomas

The winger's second-half introduction was key in giving the hosts an extra dimension in attack

What did we learn?

Just a fortnight ago, Hamilton were four points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership table and five off 10th place after suffering a humiliating 8-0 defeat at Ibrox and a cruel 2-1 loss at Tannadice.

Fast forward a month and Rice's men appear to have turned a corner. You would be crazy to doubt their survival credentials, and so it would seem as they now sit 10th in the table after taking four points from their last two games against Aberdeen and Kilmarnock.

As for Kilmarnock, discipline is an issue for Dyer's side. Dikamona's red card was the fourth time one of his players has been dismissed in the league this season, and although his side got away with it two weeks ago against Ross County, it cost them on Saturday as they were well in control prior to the dismissal.

What they said

Hamilton head coach Brian Rice: "They beat us earlier in the season when they were down to 10 men. It can sometimes be harder against 10 men.

"We spoke about getting back to playing the Hamilton way. Hamilton was always a hard place to come to, you had to work to get your goals. We lost our way a little bit."

Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer: "It was a sending off, rightly so. The penalty has hit him [Haunstrup] on the hand, but it's hard to pull your hand away from two or three yards.

"We had one in the first half that was exactly the same and he [the referee] didn't give it, so I really don't understand it. If he gives one he should give the other. We go away with nothing, it's not been a great week for the football club. We have to carry on and dig in."

What's next?

Hamilton host Hibernian next Saturday (15:00 GMT) as Kilmarnock travel to Celtic on Sunday (15:00 GMT).