HAMILTON 2 PARTICK THISTLE 1
Martin Canning hailed David Templeton’s quality at one end then thanked keeper Gary Woods for preserving Hamilton’s win at the other.
Former Hearts and Rangers winger Templeton stunned Partick with a stoppage- time winner as Accies savoured their first home victory over Thistle since 2012 and a first win in 2018.
But the Lanarkshire side won the Premiership basement battle the hard way af ter c omi n g f r om beh i nd – a nd Woods made an incredible save to deny Chris Erskine a nodded equaliser.
Accies boss Canning said: “It wasn’t an enjoyable 90 minutes but that was a huge three points given the run we’ve been on.
“Temps didn’t panic when the ball came to him a lthough I was wanting him to snatch at it. I was shouting, ‘Shoot!’ A less experienced player would have panicked and missed but he had the composure – more than I would have had in that situation – and he has shown his real qua l i t y in that instant.
“He took his time and it was a good f inish. Lewis Ferguson also did magnificently well for the winner with a great turn and pass for Antonio Rojano. It was the one moment of real quality for us in the match.
“We’ve lost late goals a few times this season so it’s nice to be on the other end of that for a change.
“I know how Thistle will be feeling because they lost to a last- minute goal last week as well. But we’re only concerned about us. “Fortunately Gary made a brilliant save right at the very end to guarantee the win. It would have been a real sickener if we hadn’t won so that was a huge moment.” Loanee Conor Sammon was making his 25th appearance for the Jags, hoping to continue a David Templeton’s last-gasp winner could turn out to be priceless for Accies come the final reckoning as Martin Canning’s men moved up to 10th in the table. again in 29 minutes when Doolan headed home Spittal’s free-kick but assistant Brian Templeton had raised the offside flag. Canning was forced into two changes by 38 minutes, first Shaun Want going off for Scott McMann then Alex Gogic liming off for treatment to be replaced by Ross Jenkins. Thistle were forced into a change of their own at the break when Sammon was replaced by Miles Storey. And his fine hold- up play teed up Spittal to drill an effort just past the post from 25 yards. Sarris l imped of f midway through the half to be replaced by Kenny van der Weg before Jags sub Erskine slung over a corner that fell invitingly for Niall Keown only for him to blaze over from 10 yards. Cal lum Booth charged forward and fired in a low drive Woods got down well to hold – and it was Accies who stunned Partick in time added on. Ferguson played the ball to Rojano who rattled in an effort Tomas Cerny could only parry. The loose ball broke to Templeton who composed himself and took a touch before gleefully hammering home from close range. There was still time though for Woods to pull off a breathtaking one-handed stop to keep out Erskine’s header and ensure Accies leapfrog Partick into 10th while going five points clear of bottom side Ross County.