Grim up north for McInnes as Dons draw another blank
DESPITE the fact Aberdeen are still in the hunt for third position, the stats continue to make grim reading for Derek McInnes.
The Dons boss has now witnessed his team earn just one win in nine games — and only a single goal scored in that rotten run.
Luckily, this stalemate against Hamilton saw them move to within three points of third-placed Hibs, who lost 1-0 at St Johnstone, albeit Jack Ross’ men have a game in hand.
Hamilton’s point lifted them above Kilmarnock, who now lie at the bottom of the Premiership. Accies also have a game in hand.
McInnes confirmed on-loan Reims striker
Fraser Hornby, who joined in January, should return from his thigh injury for the clash at Dundee United in a fortnight.
The manager picked a front three of Callum Hendry, Florian Kamberi and Niall McGinn for this encounter but the latest combination failed to deliver.
‘We reiterate to the players they are good enough and remind them all the best strikers miss chances,’ said McInnes (below). ‘We want them to be more natural, instinctive and go into games expecting to score.
‘Some of the boys are more anxious and the fact everyone is talking about it is probably part of that.
‘While we have got a clean sheet and are a point closer, maybe in the cold light of day we’ll see it as a positive, but it feels like a missed opportunity.
‘We’ve got to get rid of that anxiety among the forward players. The good thing is Fraser will be fit for the United game.’
The hosts somehow failed to take the lead after 18 minutes. Jamie Hamilton’s slip allowed McGinn to race towards the box. The Northern Irishman squared the ball to Kamberi, who dithered, allowing Aaron Martin to block before Accies captain Brian Easton cleared.
Hendry saw
Kamberi find him in the box on 23 minutes but the ball hit his thigh and rolled inches wide.
Accies midfielder Ross Callachan’s deflected effort from 30 yards forced Dons goalkeeper Joe Lewis to push the ball behind just before the interval.
McGinn was presented with a chance to score on 57 minutes from Jonny Hayes’ cross but his shot was straight at goalkeeper Ryan Fulton.
Accies had a claim for a penalty midway through the half when Andy Considine blocked Scott Martin’s shot with his hand.
Hamilton nearly stunned the Dons with 11 minutes remaining but Considine’s last-ditch tackle on Scott Martin prevented defeat.
‘I’m delighted with our performance,’ said Hamilton boss Brian Rice. ‘We had a tough game with St Johnstone on Wednesday and lost a late goal. It was demoralising for the lads.
‘But to travel up here and get that performance speaks volumes for where we are as a team.’