05 May 2010, Hamilton 0 - 0 St Mirren | Report | Match

by Alan Gallacher at New Douglas Park

SAINTS and Hamilton shared the spoils with the now safe Buddies perhaps just about shading it, particularly in the second half, and will be pleased with the clean sheet.

With the game very nearly completely meaningless Saints made four changes, however, only one of them was voluntary with the previously ever present Paul Gallacher dropping out with Mark Howard making his first appearance of the campaign. The other changes saw the suspended Chris Innes replaced by Lee Mair and injured duo Steven Thomson (neck) and Andy Dorman (knee) deputised by Garry Brady and Michael Higdon.

Hamilton unsurprisingly kept faith with the same eleven who thrashed Aberdeen four days previous. This meant they kept the tried and trusted 3-4-3 formation which has served them so effectively over recent weeks.

Amidst decidedly low key surroundings Saints survived an early scare after only four minutes when Accies' Marco Paixao thundered a superb 30 yard volley off the under side of Howard's bar with the ring rusty keeper nowhere near it. Thankfully the strike rattled the under side of the bar and bounced to safety, Accies claimed a goal but in truth it what too close for anyone to call with any real certainty.

Saints took a while to feel their way into the game, 15 minutes to be exact. Billy Mehmet and Higdon played head tennis to set up Stephen O'Donnell, who really ought to have at very least hit the target when in free behind the home defence.

For long spells the game trundled along in typical end of season fashion only to be pierced now and again by a moment worth talking about. One such incident arrived after 31 minutes when Steven Robb looked to have bundled over Dougie Imrie inside the area, again though luck was on Saints' side with referee Iain Brines waving away the appeals. Imrie went down again soon after this time after tangling with John Potter, this time though there was no danger of it ever being a spot kick.

Indeed Imrie was almost single-handedly ensuring the press box was kept occupied thanks to some of his antics. The former Clyde man ended the opening half by making his way into the book for a needless and very late challenge on the stroke of the interval.

Half-Time: Hamilton Academical 0-0 St Mirren

Saints were first to show after the interval. Higdon denied by the sprawling frame of Sean Murdoch. Not a gilt-edge chance, but the big striker will be disappointed his bustling run didn't end with the ball in the net.

Murdoch was denying Higdon again seconds later when the pawed away a header from the number eleven. Good stop from the keeper who like Higdon did well to readjust his body.

To inject some life into the game Gus MacPherson introduced Rory Lory in place of Garry Brady in what was a rare run-out for the on-loan Rangers player.

What little chances there were in the offing were falling Saints way. Higdon was again the man causing problems, this time latching onto a hoisted delivery from Graham Carey only to meekly bounce the ball into the arms of Murdoch when in truth O'Donnell looked far better placed to get a serious shot away.

O'Donnell did get a chance of his own when he rose highest to reach a centre from Steven Robb, again though it was easy work for Murdoch. Craig Dargo then came on for Hugh Murray.

So a stalemate to round off Saints' campaign on the road.

Full-Time: Hamilton Academical 0-0 St Mirren

Hamilton Academical: Murdoch, McClenahan, Canning, McLaughlin, Wesolowski, McArthur, Mensing, Neil, F. Paixao, M. Paixao, Imrie.
Subs Not Used: van Zanten, Elebert, Crawford, Wilkie, Kirkpatrick, Riley, Potter (GK).

St Mirren: Howard, Mair, Potter, Barron, Carey, Murray (Dargo 84), O'Donnell, Brady (Loy 69), Robb, Mehmet, Higdon.
Subs Not Used: McLennan, Johnston, Gallacher (GK).

Referee: Iain Brines.

Star Saint: He has had an excellent campaign as he continues to mature into a potentially top, top player and David Barron was again solid in the tackle, full of commitment and the pick of the bunch.

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