Sub Lakin seals it for County to all but consign Hamilton to the drop
ROSS COUNTY
Spittal 28, Lakin 70
HAMILTONACADEMICAL Mcmann 26
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Though not yet confirmed, defeat in Dingwall has all but consigned Hamilton Accies to relegation from the Scottish Premiership, effectively ending their seven-year stay in the top flight.
Brian Rice’s side needed a result in Dingwall to give themselves any hope of avoiding relegation on the final day. They looked like they were going to get it when Scott Mcmann fired them into a first-half lead, but goals from Blair Spittal and Charlie Lakin, coupled with Kilmarnock’s draw with St Mirren, means they trail the Rugby Park side by three points with a goal difference variance of minus-16.
It says a lot about the Lanarkshire club’s existence in the Premiership that they had more defeats (130) than draws (62) and wins (64) combined across their seven years. Somehow they always seemed to find a way, but, on a night where they will consider themselves unfortunate not to leave with at least a point, they finally ran out of luck.
As for County, they require just a point from their last game away to Motherwell, or hope Killie fail to defeat Accies, to confirm their safety and avoid the Scottish Premiership play-offs.
Mcmann had a threepronged influence on the opening goal in 25 minutes. The left-back won the freekick on the edge of the area
after being tripped by Jordan Tillson. He then pulled rank by demanding the ball from Reegan Mimnaugh. And finally he took advantage of a shoddy Ross County wall but hitting a low drive through a gap and past Ross Laidlaw.
If that was impressive, County’s equaliser two minutes later was equally so. Stephen Kelly knocked it into Jordan White, who laid it off for Spittal. The midfielder executed a terrific curling finish from 20
yards with his weaker left-foot to find the far corner.
Accies where almost back in front soon after, with Ross Callachan firing a low shot off the base of the post.
Countyweremuchimproved in the second half with the majority of the match in Accies’ half.
Even so, Hamilton created the first two chances, but, from similar positions, both Mcmann and Callachan failed to find the target
with free headers inside the area.
They would rue those missed opportunities when County took the lead on 70 minutes.
Lakin, on as a substitute at the unfamiliar position of left-back thanks to an injury to Leo Hjelde, strode onto a pass from White and unleashed a powerful drive that nestled into the far corner.
Accies threw everything at John Hughes' side in the hope of a late rescue, but failed
to create another opportunity of note after Moyo followed his team-mates lead by heading over from six yards.
Ross County: Laidlaw, Naismith, Donaldson, Iacovitti (Watson 52), Hjelde (Lakin 65),Tillson, Vigurs, Kelly, Spittal (Paton 87), White, Gardyne (Charles-cook 87). Subs not used: Draper,shaw,hylton,h ilton,andreu.
Hamilton: Gourlay, Hamilton, Aaron Martin, Mcmann, Odofin, Hodson, Callachan, Mimnaugh (Lewis Smith 79), Easton (Thomas 75), Anderson (Callum Smith 79), Moyo. Subs not used: Stirling, Trafford, Stanger, Munro, Redfern, Scully.