WULLIE BLASTS ACCIES

Wullie Gibson branded Hamilton’s players ‘embarrassing’ after 10-man Queen of the South suffered another setback in their bid to beat the drop.

Andy Winter’s third goal since his return from long-term injury completed a clean sweep over the visitors for Accies this season.

They were helped by the dismissal of Queens midfielder Ben Liddle five minutes before the break.

And Doonhamers player- boss Gibson believed that ref Graham Grainger was swayed into the decision to flash the red card by the home players.

Liddle was booked in just the tenth minute for a studs-up challenge on Andy Ryan, so there was only going to be one outcome when Liddle then hauled down Winter as the striker advanced on goal.

But Gibson fumed: “They’re not yellows. It was myself who passed to Ben, he’s won the ball and Ryan has gone down screaming.

“Their boys are running 40 yards to try get him sent off so I think the ref wouldn’t have

Hamilton.................................. 1 Queen of South ...................... 0 booked him without that. At the second one, the exact same – embarrassing for them. Very poor again with them running 40 yards.”

Accies gaffer Stuart Taylor was stunned by Gibson’s verdict.

He said: “I thought the first one was a red card, it was a horrendous tackle.

“We were surprised he stayed on the pitch and the second was a deliberate professional foul.”

Taylor’s side inched to within seven points of fourth after winning back-to-back league games for the first time in two years.

Hamilton broke down the depleted resistance midway through the second period to keep a late surge towards the play-offs alive.

Only leaders Kilmarnock have beaten them in their last nine league outings after Dan O’Reilly found the key to unlock Queens’ resistance with a superb pass.

Winter superbly spun inside Darragh O’Connor before steering a fine finish beyond the reach of Josh Rae.

Ryan forced keeper Rae into two brilliants saves from range late on, but one goal was enough as Accies survived a fraught, stoppage time scramble in their six-yard box. Queens remain three points adrift at the bottom with the SPFL Trust Trophy Final looming next Sunday against Raith.

Gibson added: “It’s maybe poor for me to say but I don’t care about the cup final.

“I’d trade that right now for safety, but if we win, it might just breed confidence for the run-in so we’ll use that as incentive.” SEEING RED Liddle trudges off