POLWORTH’S PILEDRIVER LEAVES ACCIES CURSING
LIAM POLWORTH scored with a stunning strike in the 90th minute to salvage a point for Inverness after Hamilton looked set to get their first victory in four games.
Last season, Polworth nicked a stoppage-time winner for Caley Thistle in a thrilling 4-3 match at the Superseal Stadium.
But, at least this time, Martin Canning’s men did not leave their own place empty-handed and a point apiece was a fair outcome. Thistle are now unbeaten in their last five matches.
Accies took the lead in the first half through Alex D’Acol but couldn’t hold on. Worryingly for Canning, that is now the seventh time they’ve been in front this season and failed to win the game. The manager knows that has to be addressed or they will end up facing a fight to avoid the drop.
Canning said: ‘Yet again we went 1-0 up and were in a good place, playing well, and we controlled the first half.
‘It was a bit more to and fro after the break. But I didn’t see the equaliser coming. It’s frustrating.
‘Anyone who has watched us will know we should have more points. When you are playing well and dictating games you really need to claim three points — a point a time is not enough.’
The visitors caused their opponents problems early on and after just two minutes they gave a sign of intent of another favourable result when Gary Warren’s header was cleared off the line by Louis Longridge.
Richie Foran’s side settled in well and had more of the ball in the opening stages. However, Hamilton’s talented players, Ali Crawford and Greg Docherty, exerted their skill and clever movement and that caused problems.
So, it came as no surprise to see the home team score in the 18th minute. Grant Gillespie’s cross was flicked on by Crawford and Owain Fon Williams could only block it with his legs.
The ball rebounded back out and there was D’Acol to slam a shot home from five yards out for his first league goal for his club. It was a good finish from the Brazilian striker and he was quickest to react in a packed penalty box.
Inverness, during several passages of play, seemed strangely lethargic.
They were fortunate not to be punished in the 28th minute when a Georgios Sarris header from 10 yards out flew inches over.
As Canning’s men looked for another goal to give them a more comfortable lead at the interval, Crawford tried a
cheeky chip into a top corner but Fon Williams got across to tip the ball over the crossbar.
There was no doubt Foran had to change things.
The Highland manager made two changes before the hour mark — Scott Boden and Jake Mulraney replaced Greg Tansey and Billy King. Boden had a chance in the 70th minute but he screwed a right-foot shot wide from 15 yards.
A fine opportunity was carved out for Brad McKay at the back post but he blasted his shot high and wide when he should have tested Remi Matthews.
The Accies goalkeeper eased the pressure on the men in front of him time and time again
He paid the price in the 81st minute when he injured his shoulder. He tried to play through the pain barrier but was replaced by Robbie Thomson. The substitute keeper was quickly called into action and flew to his right hand side to palm away a header from Ross Draper.
But Thomson was helpless in stoppage time when Polworth levelled the scoring when he drilled home a shot from 25 yards for a fine strike and deserved result all round.
Foran was delighted to leave Lanarkshire with a point and smiled: ‘We have a never-say-die attitude. That’s three games we have managed to get a point and come from behind.
‘In terms of chances created, I thought we deserved the point.’