Hamilton unlucky over Covid issues, says Rice after 0-0 draw with Dundee Utd

Brian Rice feels Hamilton Academical have been "a wee bit unlucky" with how Covid-19 has affected their fixtures.

Accies' games with Aberdeen and St Mirren were postponed and Hamilton were initially awarded three points for the match with the Buddies.

However, St Mirren's appeal against that ruling was successful and the match will be rearranged.

"We just get on with it," Rice said after Saturday's goalless stalemate with Dundee United.

"That's twice now. We were meant to play Aberdeen when Aberdeen had nine people out with Covid and a suspension and we went and played them after it when they had their full team. We were meant to play St Mirren when they were depleted. They'll have their full team. We've been a wee bit unlucky."

Hamilton remained second bottom after drawing with United but could slip to the foot of the table if Motherwell draw or win against Rangers on Sunday. The Tangerines stayed sixth.

• Reaction & as it happened

Dundee United saw more of the ball in the first half and should have moved into the lead when Dillon Powers crossed from right to left and Ian Harkes nodded towards goal, Ryan Fulton somehow keeping it out on his return to the starting line-up.

At the other end, Callum Smith stayed onside when found by Ross Callachan but could not keep his effort down and a free-kick by Callachan was pushed out by goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist.

Siegrist held Lee Hodson's shot early in the second half and also got a touch on Hakeem Odoffin's effort.

In between times Nicky Clark drew a save from Fulton from the edge of the Hamilton box.

Lawrence Shankland, having been starved of service, finally had a sight of goal from Harkes' lay-off and fired past the left-hand post.

United finished as strongly as they had started but could not find a way through.

Man of the match - Mark Connolly

It was a day when defences were on top and Connolly (top) made life difficult for the Hamilton attack

What did we learn?

The wet and windy conditions did not lend themselves to flowing football and both teams struggled particularly in the final third.

Hamilton, with defenders Odoffin and Ben Stirling playing in central midfield, tried to crowd Dundee United out but it limited them going forward.

The visitors were much more forceful in attack but too often their final ball let them down. Still, a point keeps them on course for a top-six finish in their first season back in the Premiership.

What did they say?

Hamilton Academical head coach Brian Rice: "Probably a fair result. It was slippy and it was windy. It was a gritty performance. You could easily lose these games so to walk away, get a point, we'll take that.

"It was a really good save from Ryan Fulton. It's his first game in about a month so I'm delighted for him. We've got another clean sheet, so I'm delighted with that."

Dundee United manager Micky Mellon: "Over the course of 90 minutes, performance wise, we're satisfied, apart from not putting an end to some of the moves that we created.

"We have to get better at getting on the end of those chances or being more clinical when they come, we know that. Defensively, we were excellent. We're building in the right direction."

What's next?

Both teams need to wait 11 days for their next match with Hamilton away to Celtic and Dundee United at home to St Mirren on 27 January (both 19:45 GMT).