Dougie Imrie, Accies' top scorer this season, scores his fifth of the season as he pounces after Danny Ward can only parry Gramoz Kurtaj's low drive. The former Clyde man looked fractionally offside, but it counts.

Accies almost present Aberdeen with a second goal as Lucas' poor attempt at a clearance gives Willo Flood the chance to set up Adam Rooney, but the striker's low drive is straight at goalkeeper Michael McGovern.

Accies manager Martin Canning makes the first change, with Brazilian striker Alexandre D'Acol replacing on-loan Norwich City man Carlton Morris up front.

"They have been much better in the second half, Aberdeen. I think Derek McInnes has told them to push up a bit to deny Hamilton space and they are beginning to take control."

Accies striker Carlton Morris is left incensed when he goes down on the edge of the penalty box under a challenge from Shay Logan. However, referee Willie Collum quite rightly decided that the Dons defender had just used his strength to win the ball.

Aberdeen almost get off to an even quicker flier than they did in the first half, but Jonny Hayes heads wide after being left unmarked as goalkeeper Michael McGovern and defender Ziggy Gordon appear to leave a lofted cross to one another deep inside the Accies penalty box.

Aberdeen start the second half at a New Douglas Park still bathed in winter sunshine.

Aberdeen defender Ash Taylor has been getting it in the neck from not only a few on social media but also the expert eye of Willie Miller, the former Aberdeen and Scotland centre-back, who is one of the the BBC Radio Scotland pundits today.

Allan Duke: "Great idea. So many youth players in the past were overlooked with average foreign players preferred within the Old Firm and other top Scottish clubs. It might also bring more people to lower league games."

Robert McCluskie: "Why not just do what Killie do and play the good youngsters in their first team? They will learn far more that way rather than playing them all in a lower league. I think it is about 10 years since Killie last fielded a team without a home-grown player and on a lot of occasions more than half the line up is made up of home-grown players."

"Defensively, Aberdeen have been as poor as they have been, with the two centre backs not taking responsibility and they are allowing the Hamilton midfield to dominate and create opportunities. How they have managed to get to half time without having a goal against them is beyond me."

Adam Rooney can't reach a cross from Niall McGinn and a wee tug on the Aberdeen striker's shirt from Ziggy Gordon made doubly sure of that.

Michael McGovern prevents a second goal for Aberdeen and a second for Kenny McLean as the midfielder's curling drive from 20 yards is heading for the far corner before the Northern Ireland goalkeeper stretches out his right hand to turn it round the post.

Aberdeen close again as Graeme Shinnie flashes a cross across the face of goal, but it evades his team-mates and for a corner via a deflection.

It is Aberdeen's turn to exert a bit of pressure. However, after Accies fail to clear, scorer Kenny McLean sends a volley from the edge of the penalty area high and handsome over the crossbar for what would have been three points if this was rugby union.

"I am sure Martin Canning will be the happier in terms of play, but he will be disappointed that it is Aberdeen who have the lead."

Greg Docherty has a sight of goal again, but the Accies midfielder's low drive from 18 yards trundles harmlessly into the arms of goalkeeper Danny Ward.