St Johnstone 0-0 Hamilton Academical: 'Gritty' visitors please Accies boss Brian Rice
- Published
Highlights: St Johnstone 0-0 Hamilton
Hamilton Academical head coach Brian Rice says his side put in a "hardworking, gritty and nasty performance" to hold St Johnstone to a goalless Scottish Premiership draw.
After an even first half, the visitors defended resolutely in the second period to claim a point against a dominant St Johnstone in Perth.
Ross County's win away to Hibernian means Rice's men end the year in 12th.
"It was exactly what I was after," Rice said.
"We are delighted to come away from here with a point. It's a fantastic point for us.
"We look solid, we look strong. The defending started from the front. It was a really good team effort."
As for St Johnstone, their winless league run extended to eight games after they could not make their dominance count at McDiarmid Park.
The Perth side finish 2020 in ninth place, having picked up only four points from a possible 24.
The visitors were almost rewarded for a positive start when Nathan Thomas did well to skip his way into the St Johnstone box before being denied by a smart stop from goalkeeper Zander Clark at close range.
Thomas was proving to be a threat as he then guided a dangerous cross into the area towards David Moyo, but the striker could not divert his header on target.
The hosts responded well as Callum Booth sent a curling strike from the edge of the box go just over, then Stevie May squandered a glorious opportunity as he directed a glancing header just by the far post.
It was then the visitors who were next to threaten as Moyo edged an aerial challenge with the ball landing at Andy Winter in the box, but the forward sliced his volley wide of goal.
Chris Kane then opened the goal up for himself with a lovely turn on the edge of the Hamilton box, only to shoot straight at goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay.
Hamilton had a rare sight of goal in the second half as Thomas embarked on a run from his own half only to lash high and wide when he made it into the St Johnstone box.
Rice's defence stood firm, but they were caught napping when Kane - similar to May in the first half - failed to direct a free header on goal.
The hosts continued to push in the closing stages and should have won it through Michael O'Halloran, who side-footed a golden opportunity from close range past Gourlay's near post.
Man of the match - Brian Easton
The Hamilton captain's (left) performance epitomised his side's defensive grit and resilience with some outstanding last-ditch challenges and no other player matched his tally of eight clearances
What did we learn?
Livingston ended St Johnstone's 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions just over two weeks ago and, since then, the Perth club have responded with three defeats and a draw.
Wednesday was also the 10th time in 21 league games that Callum Davidson's side have failed to score this season. They are creating chances, it is just about taking them. With January around the corner, will the St Johnstone manager look to bring in someone who can covert?
As for Hamilton, Rice asked for a "horrible, nasty, energetic" performance from his players and that is certainly what he got.
While his side posed a threat in the first half, it was backs-to-the-wall stuff for the majority of the second period as his team defended for their lives to claim just a fourth clean sheet in the league this season. That is the type of commitment Rice will need to see in 2021 if Accies are to avoid the drop.
What they said
St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson was pleased with his team's application
St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson: "The boys were fantastic. I'm happy with how they applied themselves. We created so many chances. You've got to take them when they come along.
"All credit to Hamilton, I thought they put their bodies on the line and made it difficult for us to get clear stuff, but I thought we had enough clear chances to take the game."
Hamilton head coach Brian Rice: "There's scope to do business [in January]. We've got to make sure they can go right into the team. Hopefully the ones we are aiming to get in will be ready to go straight in."
Hamilton manager Brian Rice says he was delighted with the application of his players
What's next?
Both sides return to action on Saturday (15:00 GMT) as St Johnstone travel to Ross County and Hamilton welcome Lanarkshire rivals Motherwell.