Aberdeen 0-0 Hamilton Academical: Derek McInnes rues hosts' missed chances

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes says his side "must carry more threat and punch" after they failed to score for the eighth time in nine Scottish Premiership games in drawing with Hamilton Academical.

The hosts passed up several clear-cut chances in a dominant first half hour.

But Brian Rice's side responded well to earn a deserved draw and move off the foot of the table.

"It's a real missed opportunity," McInnes said.

"The more people talk about it [lack of goals], the players can get anxious. Sometimes you need something to fall for you or a bit of luck.

"We tried to go as attacking as we could. While we get another clean sheet and we are another point closer to Hibs, it's scant consolation for the effort we put in."

• Reaction & as it happened

McInnes said pre-match he was keen to get Kamberi and Hendry starting together as a pair, and you could understand why in the early exchanges.

Kamberi was a livewire, linking well with the on-loan St Johnstone forward and the visitors simply could not deal with it.

But the hosts could not take advantage of the openings that came their way. First, Niall McGinn capitalised on slack defending to cut back to Kamberi but, by the time the striker had the ball out of his feet, his effort was blocked, before McGinn had a rebounded volley headed off the line.

McGinn, again, found himself in behind. This time pulling a ball back from the bye-line as Hendry and Kamberi seemed to get in each other's way as a close-range finish sailed over.

Balls in behind continued to cause the away side problems as Lewis Ferguson's clip was latched onto by Kamberi who slid a pass across goal, but the ball seemed to just hit off Hendry's thigh and trickle wide.

Rice's side composed themselves after a manic opening half hour, as neat build-up play resulted in Nathan Thomas feeding David Moyo in the box. The Hamilton striker made a yard for himself before seeing an effort from close range blocked well.

Hamilton's star man of the season Ross Callachan then forced Joe Lewis into a stunning save as the former Hearts man's long-range strike took a nick on the way leaving Lewis sprawling at full stretch high to his left to tip away.

Like the first half, McInnes' side started the second on the front foot as Kamberi and Ash Taylor failed to convert from headers either side of Niall McGinn's near-post strike, which forced Fulton into a smart stop.

This was not a backs-to-the-wall job from the away side as they, too, posed a threat of their own.

Screams for a penalty were turned down when Scott Martin's strike struck Andrew Considine's hand, and shortly after Considine blocked another Martin effort, but there was no controversy about this one as the midfielder charged on to a loose ball before his effort was thwarted by the Scotland centre-back.

Aberdeen put the pressure on the closing stages, but Rice's men defended impeccably to earn a vital point.

Man of the match - Hakeem Odoffin

The former Livingston man (left) was outstanding in midfield as no one could match his seven interceptions and 12 possession gains

What did we learn?

There is no getting away from Aberdeen's attacking woes. One goal in nine games is truly grim reading.

In fairness to McInnes, his frontline created enough chances to win the game but the finishing touch was lacking throughout. The Aberdeen manager will be scratching his head as how to sort this.

We know not to doubt Hamilton, but without Bruce Anderson and Marios Ogkmpoe the chips were stacked against Rice's men travelling to a ground where they have lost 11 of their last 12 league games.

But Rice will be hugely encouraged that, without their starting strikers, his side still posed a threat and defensively his backline responded superbly after a manic opening 30 minutes.

What did they say?

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes: "It was a game we knew the importance of winning.

"It doesn't dilute the fact we feel third is there for us. I thought we were good enough to get all three points."

Hamilton head coach Brian Rice: "You're always happy when you come to Aberdeen and take something home. We had a few chances and so did Aberdeen.

"I'm delighted, we had a couple of injuries but everyone did their job today. I couldn't ask for any more out the lads today."

What's next?

Hamilton travel to Livingston next Saturday (15:00 GMT) in a rearranged league game, while Aberdeen do not return to action until 20 March (15:00) when they go to Tannadice to face Dundee United.