Never-say-dieacciescash in on Nicky’s costlymiss
Odoffin (75)
A jackpot draw at the Fountain of Youth Stadium delivered a significant prize to the home side.
At around 4.30pm Brian Rice’s men were plum bottom of the Premiership table, having conceded an early goal to Lawrence Shankland.
However, when Hakeem Odoffin headed home for his third of the season, they were on their way to a share of the points and a move up to 10th place.
And if a further reminder of the fickleness of life in Scotland’s top flight was required, the equaliser also made a big change in the visitors’ status.
Sitting fourth while they were one up, they dropped down to seventh at the full time whistle.
“That’s the best thing when you go home on a Saturday night – have you moved up in the league?” said Accies boss Rice.
“That is the aim, to keep moving up.”
“We know where we’d love to be but I never look too far ahead.
“That’s three early goals we’ve lost in the last three games.
“But they are never beat. They will keep going.
“I think it’s because of the spirit.
“We’ve not scored a lot of goals but we are a goal threat in there.”
Shankland’s early opener was as straightforward a striker’s goal as they come.
Logan Chalmers got things started, showing a great turn of pace to fly down United’s right flank.
As the forward played in Adrian Sporle,
Shankland continued his own run through the middle deep into the box.
The tricky bit was making sure he was in space for when the cross came in, which he managed with apparent ease.
The same could be said of his finish, a tapin from a handful of yards out.
It was his second goal in his two starts since returning from a six week lay-off with an ankle injury.
Before that he did get a run out against Rangers at Ibrox but that was a brief appearance as a second half substitute.
Accies were stung by the early setback and were almost two down before they regained their composure.
The tricky Chalmers, another who has been drawing the scouts with Southampton, Crystal Palace and Birmingham City all tracking his progress, was left free in the area for Nicky Clark to tee up with an opportunity.
The 20-year-old had time to play with but did not appear to realise it because he snatched at his shot and sent the ball high over the crossbar.
Little by little, Accies settled.
David Templeton had an effort blocked and Babatude Owolabi headed Kyle Munro’s cross wide.
It was nothing if not competitive and, after watching the teams snap away at each other, referee Alan Muir eventually snapped himself and cautioned Calum Butcher.
If the Englishman would have been a bookies’ favourite to get carded, Scott Martin would not have been far behind.
The Accies midfielder was in particularly combative mood so it was no surprise either that he became the second name in the book soon after.
Brian Rice turned to his bench at halftime, sending on Marios Ogkmpoe and Ross Callachan in place of Andy Winter and Reegan Mimnaugh.
Ogkompoe made a near instant impact with a powerful run in on goal but he took a heavy touch and the ball went behind.
United forward Nicky Clark passed up a much clearer chance after an Accies error sent Shankland scampering in on their goal.
The latter, hearing the shout, played in his strike partner perfectly.
Had he got any elevation at all on the ball it would surely have been 2-0 but he went low and Accies keeper Ryan Fulton was able to block the effort with his legs.
It was a costly miss with Hamilton grabbing an equaliser soon after.
David Templeton supplied the cross and Odoffin headed home before tearing off on exuberant celebration.
“There is only one way you score goals like that and it is putting your body on the line and he comes from a club that does that, Livingston,” said Rice.
“It is brilliant for the boy. He had never scored a first team goal and he has got himself three now.
“I am delighted for him.”