Holt tells Lions to grow up after defeat at Accies

LIVINGSTON manager Gary Holt called on his players to ‘grow up’ after they suffered a late loss against ten-man Hamilton.

Accies midfielder Mickel Miller picked up a second booking five minutes from time but the hosts struck 60 seconds later to seal this vital victory.

On-loan Norwich City striker Mason Bloomfield scored his first senior goal as Martin Canning’s men moved seven points clear of bottom club Dundee.

After a magnificent start to the season, Livvy have now suffered back-to-back defeats following a midweek loss against St Johnstone and this failure at Accies.

Urging his Lions to show more courage, Holt said: ‘We’ve got to be men. We’ve got to grow up and learn, at this level, you have to be clever.

‘We’ve got to be braver. But we played well. We created really good chances and hit the bar at the end.

‘It was the old sucker punch and you’ve got to take it on the chin sometimes. It’s about bouncing back, being big boys and getting the chest up.’

Without the suspended Dougie Imrie and Darian MacKinnon, Accies wasted a glorious chance midway through the first half when striker Fredrik Brustad found himself with a clear shot at goal 15 yards out.

Liam Kelly saved but the ball rebounded to James Keatings, who tumbled under pressure from Livvy skipper Craig Halkett. However, referee Alan Muir waved away the penalty appeal.

Holt’s men somehow failed to take the lead four minutes before half-time when Ricki Lamie cut in from the left and crossed towards Craig Sibbald. A scramble ensued, but the hosts cleared.

Gary Woods was Hamilton’s hero six minutes after the restart when he saved a Scott Pittman shot from 10 yards after the Livvy midfielder met a through ball from Sibbald.

Home striker Dolly Menga brushed off Delphin Tshiembe on the hour mark, raced through on goal but dragged his shot just wide.

Miller picked up his second booking for a tackle five minutes from full-time but there was a final twist to come.

Bloomfield raced on to a through ball, kept calm and finished beyond Kelly.

There was a scare in stoppage-time when Livvy substitute Bobby Burns hit the bar from close range, but Accies survived.

Hailing scorer Bloomfield, Canning said: ‘It is credit to Mason because he hasn’t had as many chances as he would have liked but his attitude has been spot on.’