Hibs boss calling for direct action

Hibs manager Colin Calderwood urged his side to be more direct in their attacking play as they push for a seventh place SPL finish.

Hibs lost at home for the first time since January to battling Hamilton Academical, and Calderwood implored his players to introduce more variation going forward in the final five games of the season than they displayed at Easter Road yesterday.

"We maintained the same tempo and the same style all the time, trying to create a goal that would look fantastic," said Calderwood. "The best way is to have a variation and I thought we had a little bit more of that in the second half."

Hibs fought back from a 2-0 half time deficit to grab a 66th-minute goal through Akpo Sodje but found an equaliser elusive despite constant pressure on the Accies goal. The game's opening strike, by visiting midfielder James Chambers, was the product of a superb run by Nigel Hasselbaink past Hibs defender Francis Dickoh on the left flank.

"The first goal, we don't defend that situation well as a unit," said Calderwood. "So the back four take the blame for that first goal - not just Francis who got beaten by Hasselbaink.

"Hamilton deserved their fortune because of their defending and bravery and attitude to the game. Obviously, as a team, we must do better."

Meanwhile, Calderwood reckons the Lanarkshire side now have a fighting chance of SPL survival. He said: "It certainly gives them half a chance, but that's something for them to think about."

Accies will be hoping for another positive result from Easter Road this weekend as relegation rivals St Mirren visit Leith.