Killie needed little bit extra to kill off game
Some winning goals are more memorable than others.
The strike from Dom Thomas that sent Kilmarnock into the last eight of the League Cup was special in many ways.
It finally gave under-pressure manager Angelo Alessio a victory and his player was able to pay tribute to a special person in his life.
Thomas pointed skywards after hitting the net in extra-time and he remembered the grandmother who was so supportive of his career.
He said: “My celebration was a special mention to my gran, Margaret, who we lost on Friday.
“She was a wonderful woman and very close to me.
“It’s tough for the family but we stick together and hopefully this has put a smile on their faces.
“My gran followed my football from when I was young and used to always listen on the radio every Saturday.
“I spoke to her just before she went and she said that was one of the things that made her proud.
“To score like I did was special for her and the family.”
Thomas has had to wait a long time for a chance to play at Killie. He spent most of last season on loan at Queen of the South.
The arrival of a new manager hasn’t increased his game time much and he’s had to be content with brief appearances from the substitute’s bench.
The fans at this game had also to be very patient.
A betting man would have quickly put his money on it going all the way to penalties. It was hard to see where a goal was coming from when the referee blew for half-time.
Kilmarnock had the lion’s share of possession, but it was the same story seven days earlier when they dominated this fixture and left Hamilton defeated.
Accies could hardly be blamed for sticking with a winning formula of defending in numbers and looking to attack on the break.
Killie, of course, regularly used that style under Steve Clarke and it took them to a third-place finish last season.
Alessio was linked with a move for former Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty and it seems he likes a big striker.
He gave 18-year-old Innes Cameron his first start of the season alongside Eamonn Brophy in attack.
His height encouraged the players to use the high ball during the early stages of the match and that did little to trouble the visitors’ defence.
They had most success in creating danger by keeping it on the deck.
Mackenzie and Brophy had shots stopped by Hamilton players throwing their bodies in the way – it was that sort of performance from Accies.
The introduction of Millar for Mackenzie on the hour meant Killie playing with three up top.
A touch of creativity was needed to supply the forwards and that was in short supply.
A goal almost came when the otherwise excellent Sam Stubbs was caught out trying to usher the ball over the line for a goal kick.
Brophy sent a cut-back to Millar but the on-loan Liverpool man sent his effort over the bar.
Home goalie Laurentiu Branescu nearly gifted Accies a winner,
In extra-time, he palmed a Miller cross straight to Ogkmpoe and was relieved to see the forward sclaff the ball wide from a couple of yards.
The goal that broke the deadlock prompted sighs of relief as well as joy in the home ranks.
Millar’s cross from the left found Dom Thomas at the back post and the former Motherwell man seemed to take an age, but squeezed the ball past the keeper and the upright.
The match-winner hopes this might also help his own career.
He said: “I’ve been waiting for my chance. I hope I can now work my way into the gaffer’s plans.