Aberdeen 1-2 Hamilton

Sep 14 2008 Ewan Smith Reports

BILLY REID watched James McCarthy leap off the bench to inspire Hamilton to their first win in Aberdeen in almost 78 years - after realising he couldn't afford to give his star man a proper rest. Reid kept McCarthy on the sidelines fearful that the midfielder would suffer from fatigue after making his Republic of Ireland Under-21 debut in midweek.

But after seeing his side trail to Gary McDonald's early goal, Reid hauled off Tony Stevenson in favour of McCarthy.

And the Accies boss reaped the rewards with an equaliser from David Graham and a second-half strike from his teenage sensation.

Reid said: "Sometimes people forget that James is only 17 and it's my job to ensure he doesn't suffer from burn-out.

"That's why I left him out today. Sometimes we even leave him out of training sessions because at his age, the physical nature of the game can still be a problem.

"But I'm also not afraid to change things and I did that when I brought him on.

"I asked him to get on the ball - he responded and we won. There's not much more to say about James except that he is a fantastic talent who willmature into a top player."

McCarthy said: "I want to play every game and I was disappointed not to start but I understand the gaffer's reasons."

It was a man wearing a red jersey that threatened to be the hero early on.

Sone Aluko returned for his second Aberdeen debut following his £80,000 transfer deadline day move from Birmingham.

And the winger took just 60 seconds to make an impact with his blistering pace leaving Simon Mensing trailing before he sent a flashing ball across the face of goal.

The Dons struck first after just eight minutes when Lee Miller held the ball up inside the 18-yard box for McDonald to fire in a low strike.

Tomas Cerny got a hand to the effort but couldn't prevent the ball from cannoning in off the post.

It could have been 2-0 in 29 minutes but Scotland Under-21 star Charlie Mulgrew's free-kick from 25 yards flew over the bar.

Enter McCarthy for Stevenson and the game turned on its head.

Accies hitman Graham grabbed the equaliser in 35 minutes when he connected superbly with a Mensing cross to volley into the top corner.

The visitors began to take control and slack defending by Darren Mackie at a corner allowed Martin Canning a strike on goal but Jamie Langfield was equal to the effort.

The home side broke away and Aluko ended a solo run by cutting a dangerous ball back, however Mackie couldn't connect from six yards.

Hamilton nearly took the lead just after the restart when McCarthy found Richard Offiong and he failed to convert from close range.

But McCarthy put Accies ahead on the hour when he robbed Andrew Considine on the edge of the box and beautifully lobbed Langfield.

Mulgrew tried to rescue a point with a late free-kick but Cerny saved.

Shots on 1

Shots off 6

Offside 1

Fouls 10

Corners 2

Bookings 2

Shots on 2

Shots off 1

Offside 1

Fouls 13

Corners 4

Bookings 3