Rice hopes for change in fortunes for Accies

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HAMILTON

DUNDEE UTD

Mcnulty 6

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Brian Rice expressed hope for a fair wind after his Hamilton side fell further adrift at the foot of the Premiership.

Dundee United took full advantage of stand-in goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay's poor clearance to net early on through Marc Mcnulty, while Accies missed a series of chances.

The home side had 27 efforts on goal, but saw Kilmarnock move two points ahead and Ross County three after they drew with each other.

Gourlay was only playing after Ryan Fulton dislocated his knee in a freak accident, slipping as he left home, while there were three spare places on Rice’s bench.

Injury-hit Accies have now not won in eight games, despite some good displays.

Rice, pictured inset, whose side face Motherwell next, said: “I am gutted for the boys because of the effort they put in. Not to take anything from it is hard to take but, once I go back and reflect, I will pick the positives out of it and there were loads.

“We are disappointed, but don’t get too down about it because we have a big derby next and, if we can take that performance into that, we will give ourselves a chance. The wind can't always be in your face. We hope it turns around." After coming under pressure either side of half-time, United regained some control in the final quarter and 20-yearold debutant Florent Hoti played his part. Manager Micky Mellon said: “We are not just a club that says ‘look at us, we play young ones’. I have always said, if they deserve to play, we will put them in. Flo has come on and showed what a lad of great promise he is.”