First Division: Hamilton looking hungry for SPL return as County put to the sword

Hamilton Accies looked to have laid down a significant marker at the weekend as they defeated a Ross County side, also tipped to be promotion candidates, 5-1 to record their second league win in a row following relegation from the SPL.

Defender Mark McLaughlin, who netted both goals in the Accies' 2-1 success over Ayr United last weekend, opened the scoring midway through the first half when he forced the ball home after Gary Miller had blocked a header from Matt Paterson.

Ali Crawford doubled the lead six minutes from half time when he converted a Dougie Imrie cross and the game was over as a contest two minutes later when James Chambers converted a penalty to establish a three-goal lead.

Visiting defender Jonathan Flynn was red-carded for bringing Paterson down to concede the spot-kick and land County with a numerical disadvantage in the second half as well.

Imrie set up Paterson for a fourth goal just before the hour mark before the Dingwall men gained some respectability when Kurtis Byrne converted a corner, but Accies had the final say when Grant Anderson added a late fifth.

Hamilton manager Billy Reid said: "People talked about County being a top side this season so I have to be pleased with that win. To score five goals in a testing game is a good achievement."

Disappointed County manager Derek Adams said: "The game was over when the penalty kick was awarded."

Raith Rovers also have a perfect record as they built on last weekend's win over Falkirk with a 3-1 success at Queen of the South.

Former Rover Kevin Smith had given the home side the lead right on half time when he fired home a penalty after another ex-Kirkcaldy man Mark Campbell had been fouled.

John McGlynn's side hit back and John Baird levelled and he then lobbed his side ahead before Smith was dismissed for a challenge on Reece Donaldson. Brian Graham sealed the win with a precise chip to grab his first goal since his transfer from Morton.

Falkirk got the better of Partick Thistle 2-1, in an entertaining clash at the Falkirk Stadium where Moroccan striker Farid El Allagui picked up on good work from Stuart Murdoch to give the hosts an early lead.

Kris Doolan fired in a fierce left foot shot to draw Thistle level ten minutes from half time, but Kallum Higginbotham nodded Falkirk back in front with less than a minute of the second half played. Doolan went from saint to sinner as he sent a penalty wide and Aaron Sinclair hit the bar as Thistle tried in vain for an equaliser.

Morton handed out Livingston's first defeat in six months with a 2-1 success at Cappielow with Michael Tidser opening the scoring for the hosts in nine minutes and former Greenock player Iain Russell grabbing one for his side from the penalty spot nine minutes into the second half. Peter MacDonald scored the winner with a penalty and Allan Moore's men hung on after Stuart McCaffrey was dismissed.Dundee and Ayr United drew 1-1 at Dens Park with Jake Hyde's close-range finish cancelling out Michael Moffat's early opener for Ayr.