Livingston peg back nine-man Hamliton

Hamilton Accies lost an injury time goal to be held 1-1 by visitors Livingston, however there will be little criticism of the New Douglas Park players left on the pitch at that stage by manager Billy Reid.

There may well be criticism however, for central defenders Mark McLaughlin and Simon Mensing, who were both red-carded in the second half to leave the Accies with nine men.

McLaughlin went first when he picked up a second yellow card on 53 minutes when he blocked Livingston taking a free kick and Mensing followed him 11 minutes later for a challenge on Mark McNulty that also drew a second yellow card.

Despite their numerical handicap Hamilton took the lead 12 minutes from time when Ali Crawford converted a pass from Jim McAlister and a win looked on the cards until Livingston substitute Rory Boulding fired home two minutes into time added on.

Reid said: “I do not really know what to feel after that. To lose a goal with the last kick of the ball is always disappointing but when you consider we were left with only nine men, and I was considering how we could hold on at one stage, I have to be pleased.”

Livingston boss Gary Bollan said: “Credit to the players as they fought until the end but we should be good enough to win a game against nine men.”

Hamilton have been joined on the eight-point mark by Morton, who won 1-0 at Dens Park to end Dundee’s unbeaten home run that stretched back to January 2010. Former St Johnstone striker Peter MacDonald was the match-winner when he slotted home after Rab Douglas had performed heroics to keep out an effort from Andy Jackson.

Cappielow boss Allan Moore said: “We have a small squad but if we keep everyone fit we will hopefully mount a decent challenge.”

Ayr United won for the first time in the First Division since promotion when they saw off ten-man Raith Rovers 2-1.

Michael Moffat opened the scoring for the Honest Men midway through the opening half and the Kirkcaldy side’s day got worse when youngster Ross Callachan was dismissed for a crude challenge on Mark Roberts just five minutes later.

Joe Hamill provided inspiration for his side before half time when he steered a low shot home for an equaliser. Understrength Raith appeared to be holding on for a point until home substitute Ross Robertson headed in via a post in injury time.

Falkirk also struck late in their game with Ross County with in-form striker Farid El Allagui sending home a looping header to earn a 1-1 draw. Another striker that has been finding the net recently, Steven Craig, had given the Dingwall men the lead with 15 minutes to go when he converted a Marc Fitzpatrick cross.

Partick Thistle hauled themselves off bottom spot and sent visitors Queen of the South there after defeating the Dumfries men 2-1. Kris Doolan took advantage of a ricochet from a clearance from Queen’s goalkeeper Lee Robinson to give the Jags the lead in 20 minutes, with the Doonhamers drawing level after little more than an hour when Mark Campbell headed home.

Recent signing Christie Elliot netted from close range five minutes from time to earn Thistle their first three-point haul of the campaign.