Hamilton 3-1 Livingston

Feb 24 2008 Rob Fairburn At New Douglas Park

GAFFER Billy Reid insists he doesn't mind winning ugly - so long as Hamilton keep collecting the points in their quest for SPL football.

The league leaders were not at their best and survived some scary moments before finally dumping Livingston for the first time this season.

It was enough to maintain their four-point lead at the top - and Reid reckons they will prove hard to dislodge.

He said: "At this stage of the season it is all about winning.

"Dundee and St Johnstone must have thought this was going to be an awkward game for us and we could slip up - so it is great to get three points.

"We had only taken one point out of six against them so knew it would be difficult and we had something to prove.

"We just need to win all our games to secure promotion. It is a tall order but we are going well."

Accies got off to a flyer in the eighth minute when a free-kick from the left was swung into the box by right-back Tony Stevenson. Its flight eluded everyone and the ball crept in at the far post.

Robert Snodgrass almost levelled soon after but his powerful effort was booted off the line by David Elebert into the grateful hands of Czech keeper Tomas Cerny.

Accies got lucky again moments later when West Brom-bound Graham Dorrans unleashed a stunning 25-yard drive that smashed back off the bar.

The home side also had their chances with David Graham bringing out a fine save from Colin Stewart then Simon Mensing drilling a low left-foot shot just wide.

But eight minutes after the re-start disaster struck for keeper Stewart.

He blocked striker Richard Offiong's shot and Craig James tried to clear his lines. But the defender only managed to boot the ball against his No.1 and the ball trickled over the line for an own goal.

Accies sealed the victory in the 64th minute when Stevenson's cross picked out big Mark McLaughlin who picked his spot with a fine header.

At exactly the same time Accies passed 1,000 minutes since they last conceded a goal at home.

Ironically that came during a Livvy clash, when Steven Craig for scored in September.

Since then Accies have enjoyed a club-record run of 10 league and cup clean-sheets at New Douglas Park.

But in the 70th minute the Accies rearguard was finally breached when sub Craig headed across the face of the goal and Snodgrass headed home from close range.

By then the home side were home and dry although they did suffer a late scare when 17-year-old sub James McCarthy was stretchered off.

The youngster, who has attracted interest from a host of clubs, said: "I caught my studs on the turf and went over on my ankle. But it is not bad and I wanted to walk off but they insisted on carrying me.

"Hopefully there will be no damage as I am desperate to get back in the starting line up."

Livvy gaffer Mark Proctor sighed: "In the first half we were the better team. But we gifted them two goals and it was a mountain to climb after that.

"I don't think there is a massive gulf between us."

MoM: Easton(Hamilton)