Hamilton’s Premiership hopes in doubt following Ross County defeat

Hamilton’s seven-year stay in the Premiership is all but over after defeat at Dingwall last night in their relegation battle.

After a slow start to the encounter, Scott Mcmann’s free-kick opener for bottom side Accies after 26 minutes was cancelled out two minutes later by Blair Spittal’s drive.

County substitute Charlie Lakin’s terrific strike in the 70th minute gave the home side a crucial win to leave Brian Rice’s team three points behind second-bottom Kilmarnock but with a massively inferior goal difference of 18 with one fixture remaining.

Hamilton host Kilmarnock on Sunday while the Staggies, three points ahead of Killie, are at Motherwell and now need a point to

avoid the relegation playoff spot. It was always going to be a tough task for perennial battlers Hamilton.

Rice, serving a touchline ban along with his longstanding friend, County boss John Hughes, had asked his players to take the fight to the last day of the league season but that is now a forlorn hope.

● Kilmarnock’s bid to preserve their top flight status and avoid the play-off will go down to the final day following a 3-3 draw with St Mirren.

Killie will need to beat Hamilton and hope County lose to Motherwell if they are to clinch 10th place.

Tommy Wright’s men are currently in the playoff position but their vastly superior goal difference over bottom club Hamilton means they will not be overhauled by Accies.

However, the Rugby Park outfit will be frustrated they did not pick up three precious points against St Mirren as Kyle Lafferty’s double put them two up but they were pegged back in the second half through goals from Jamie Mcgrath and Cammy Macpherson.

They reclaimed the lead with eight minutes remaining through a Greg Kiltie volley but less than a minute later Collin Quaner drew St Mirren level once again.

Charlie Lakin.