Hibs passed up the chance to move into second place after failing to take all three points against Hamilton at The SuperSeal Sadium today, despite totally dominating throughout.
Neil Lennon made two changes to the starting XI that lost to St Johnstone last weekend with Steven Whittaker replacing David Gray and Dylan McGeouch taking over from Anthony Stokes.
Martin Boyle had a couple of long range efforts blocked in the early stages before the visitors took the lead with a superb goal in the 29th minute.
On-loan Brandon Barker picked up the ball in his own half then ran 50 yards, beating three defenders before finding Simon Murray. The striker took a touch before firing a powerful strike high into the net to the delight of the travelling support.
Gary Woods then produced a fine save to deny Boyle then the Accies’ keeper did well to tip a John McGinn strike over the bar.
Murray almost made it 2-0 just after the break with a near post header then once again woods did sell to block a shot by Boyle.
Woods was the hero again moments later when he cleared a Paul Hanlon header off the line with his foot.
It jus looked a matter of time before Hibs doubled their advantage but typically it was the hosts who scored against the run of play with their first real attack.
Marvin Bartley appeared to be fouled before former Hearts’ midfielder David Templeton floated a cross into the penalty box and Antonio Rojano guided his header into the net leaving Ofir Marciano helpless.
Hibs fought to regain the lead and Whittaker volleyed over the bar then Woods produced another fine save to deny Lewis Stevenson.
Hamilton who had five players booked managed to hold on to secure a share of the points.
After the game Lennon told BBC Scotland: I’m not happy with his (referee’s) performance at all
“They (Hamilton) don’t tackle, they just kick. There’s no protection at all and I’m not happy about it.
“I’m frustrated but I can’t take anything away from my team today, we were great and needed a better referee.
“We had no protection – we should have had a penalty on Dylan McGeouch and there was a foul on (Marvin) Bartley in the build-up to their goal.
“My analysis man has come in and said the tackle count was 19-7 – we got kicked all over the park. In the build-up to the goal they have two kicks at Brandon (Barker).
“I’m really proud of my players for the way we played. We deserved to win it on a difficult pitch, but I’m not going to criticise the team in any way.
“We were in total control and the first half was as good as we’ve played all season.
“But you do need the second goal as unfortunately for us, they score a very good goal from their point of view, but the game should have been out of sight.”
Hamilton: Woods, Sarris, Tomas, McMann, Skondras, Docherty, MacKinnon, Lyon, Imrie, Templeton, Rojano. subs: Gillespie, Bingham, Redmond, Fulton, Biabi, Donati, Cunningham
Hibs: Marciano, Whittaker, Hanlon, Ambrose, Stevenson, McGeouch, Bartley, McGinn, Boyle, Bartley, Murray. Subs: Dabrowski, Slivka, McGregor, Shaw, F.Murray, Porteous, Matulevicius
Referee Don Robertson
Attendance 2945
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
