Accies block out angry protests to see off Alloa
A TOXIC atmosphere was transformed into a triumphant one as Hamilton Academical produced an astonishing comeback to maintain their hopes of avoiding relegation.
Accies were on course to be demoted to League One as they trailed 2-0 to ten-man Alloa Athletic, 3-0 on aggregate, following first-half goals from Conor Sammon and Stefan Scougall either side of a red card to their team-mate George Stanger.
When Scougall knocked in the rebound after his penalty had been saved by Jamie Smith, it sparked furious protests from a section of the Hamilton support towards owner Colin McGowan and the board, as well as sickening shouts to manager John Rankin from one supporter.
As the mutinous mood grew, however, Hamilton remarkably turned the play-off semi-final on its head as they scored four goals in nine minutes at the end of the first half to take an aggregate lead for the first time as Dario Zanatta and Andy Winter each notched a double and the jeers turned to cheers.
After the interval Winter completed his hat-trick to seal a 5-2 win and set up a play-off final with Airdrie.
Rankin hailed his players for their comeback but was disgusted by the supporter who verbally abused him.
He said: ‘Credit to the players because at 3-0 down they could have went down, they could have felt sorry for themselves and they could have taken the opportunity to slide out but they never.
‘The camaraderie, the closeness of the group came through at a challenging time being 3-0 down at home.
‘Listen, there was comment today, a personal comment. The comment was derogatory towards my wife and children. I’m not accepting that. I don’t care who it is or what they do, that’s embarrassing.
‘Supporters who are on my back, no bother, attack me, don’t attack my wife and family.’
Sammon headed Alloa ahead after just five minutes but Stanger was red carded after 24 minutes when he picked up a second booking for bringing down Winter.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Alloa increased their lead after Sammon was hauled down by goalkeeper Smith, who was only booked by referee Chris Graham, much to the dismay of Alloa manager Brian Rice, and although he saved Scougall’s penalty the midfielder converted the rebound.
Rice said later: ‘If I give the answer I want to give I’d get into trouble. The referee told me it wasn’t a goalscoring opportunity, so I have to go with that.’
Zanatta gave Hamilton a lifeline after 37 minutes and two minutes later Winter drew them level in the game. On the stroke of half-time they were level on aggregate as Zanatta notched his second and seconds later Winter had them ahead on aggregate.
In the 52nd minute Winter outjumped Alloa goalkeeper Jay Hogarth to head in from close range and complete his hat-trick.