Airdrie United 0 - 4 Hamilton: Hamilton off the mark

HAMILTON secured their first win of the campaign in emphatic style to move within a point of their Lanarkshire rivals. Billy Reid’s men belied their lowly position throughout, running out deserved victors with four second-half goals.

The lively Louis Longridge volleyed narrowly over before sending a teasing cross over the face of goal. Stevie May flicked it on and Ali Crawford looked certain to score at the back post until home keeper Kenny Arthur pulled off a brilliant point-blank save.

Airdrie almost punished their rivals on the break when Alan Cook’s net-bound shot was deflected inches over by Martin Canning.

The Diamonds had another excellent chance when Jack Boyle pounced on Stephen Hendrie’s pass-back but the striker took too long to get his shot away.

At the other end Stevie May set up Jon Routledge who fired inches wide. However, the visitors got their reward, Crawford bundling May’s cross into the net from close range.

Accies made the points safe when Longridge met Gary Fraser’s cross with a firm near-post header before May embellished the win with two goals in the closing minutes, the second a penalty.