Saints 0-1 Hamilton Accies

Last updated : 23 May 2009 By Stuart Gillespie
Last week's terrific display against Falkirk looks to have been a blip. While there was a bit of fight and desire from the players today, there wasn't much and we can have no complaints about suffering a defeat. Fortunately, we could afford to lose another goal and still stay up - but it should never have come down to this. We had countless opportunities to pick up points earlier in the season and threw them away. We have won just two league games in 2009 and have yet to win at our new ground. We may have stayed up, but it certainly doesn't feel like something worth celebrating.

For once, Gus MacPherson did the sensible thing and stuck with the team that destroyed Falkirk last week. Unfortunately, we didn't come close to destroying Hamilton. Sure, we had some early chances, with Garry Brady and Andy Dorman going close, but Accies keeper Sean Murdoch rarely had to work for his money.

Hamilton rarely threatened, so in true fashion they took the lead with their first real chance as Simon Mensing found himself unmarked to head home Brian Easton's corner. It was actually their only real chance of the half, but it was irrelevant as we seemed to leave our shooting boots at home. Brady had another couple of chances before the break but failed to find the target.

Accies were lucky not to be down to ten men at the start of the second half when Joel Thomas assaulted Mark Howard. It was a disgraceful challenge as the Saints keeper already had the ball comfortably in his grasp. Thomas escaped with a booking, while Howard needed treatment before continuing. It could have been worse - we might have had to put on Paul Mathers!

The second half was a bit of a non event, with Brady failing to find the target with another couple of chances. Then Falkirk took the lead at Inverness Caley Thistle. As things stood we were fine, but if Hamilton scored twice more we were doomed.

They came close to getting one, with Thomas being sent clear before his shot was blocked by Howard. Billy Reid decided now was the time to introduce former Saint Mark Corcoran as he tried to inflict a killer blow, but as usual he was posted missing.

We ery nearly grabbed an equaliser when Andy Dorman crossed for Billy Mehmet, but his stunning volley was superbly tipped over by Sean Murdoch. It was his only real save all day, with Stephen O'Donnell going close late on.

Thankfully it didn't matter. Only losing 1-0 was fine and means we can look forward to another year in the SPL. Changes need to be made all around the club if we are to avoid another season like this - but will they happen?