Hamilton moved two points clear of drop-rivals Dunfermline
Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin says his side rolled up their sleeves and put in a ‘typical Accies’ performance as they beat Dunfermline 1-0 in a vital Championship crunch match.
Reghan Tumilty’s 41st-minute strike earned all three points at East End Park and moved Hamilton two points clear as their hosts dropped back into the play-off slot.
With Airdrie beating Partick Thistle 2-1, it was an important win in Fife and keeps Accies five points ahead of their Lanarkshire rivals.
Rankin told club media: “It was everything I thought it was going to be – a battling performance.
“We had to select a side that was going to be able to play on that pitch, and I think we did that.
“We were battling, first and foremost we weathered the storm.
“The crowd was going to be between 7000 and 8000, and players have to realise that’s the kind of crowds you want to play in front of, so these pressurised situations are ones you have to stand up to.
“I thought we did that magnificently. I thought we started the game really well, had to weather the storm, and we did that.
“At times I think we think we’re better than what we are, forget we need to roll our sleeves up and get stuck in, and it was a proper Accies performance.”
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Rankin added: “We defended our box really well, didn’t give up spaces, and we didn’t give away many chances.
“We did well, grew into the game and got the goal, in my opinion, in a really good time, just before half-time.
“It was a good ball into the box, Reghan makes a good run, a great finish, got ourselves 1-0 up, and on his 100th appearance he deserves that. He has been a magnificent servant for the club so far.
“In the second half we had to defend our box again, I think Scott Robinson’s got to score to make it 2-0 although the goalie can say he made a good save.
“I thought we defended really well, we had to, and the players have come under some criticism because of their game-management later o in games, and not being able to defend crosses, or making poor choices in certain situations – but I thought they made the right choices at the right times.
“It was certainly in your face, together, units together, winning individual battles. I think we all did that, and we won 1-0.
“I’m delighted with the togetherness of them, but the work-0rate and the way they were prepared to throw themselves at the ball. They took a lot of knocks, but not for a minute did it stop them putting energy into it.
“Over the piece I thought we were really good in both boxes today, and we had to be.
We knew with Neil Lennon coming in, a big personality, big for the crowd, Victor Wanyama coming in, we had to make sure we got the crowd on our side rather than theirs.
“We’re going to need to get out crowd on our side. We’re going to need to show that effort, commitment and desire..”