Boss John Rankin hailed Oli Shaw after a stunning seven-minute hat-trick late on helped Hamilton leapfrog Morton - but insisted a big save from Charlie Albinson was just as vital.
Shaw netted one of the fastest trebles in the club's history, surpassing George McCluskey's eight-minute effort in 1991 against Clydebank, with quick-fire strikes that left Dougie Imrie's depleted side floored.
A game that looked to be heading for a drab draw came to life in 77 minutes when Shaw fired home from a Connor Smith free-kick and he then made it 2-0 four minutes later when he poked Sean McGinty's goal-bound strike into the bottom corner.
He saved the best for last when he got on the end of Reghan Tumilty's lay-off in 84 minutes and lashed home a fine strike beyond Lewis Budinauckas, who was brought in on an emergency loan from Rangers.
But the game turned on a huge chance for Morton in 68 minutes when Owen Moffat was denied one-on-one by Accies keeper Charlie Albinson.
And Rankin, whose side ended a three-game losing streak to go sixth in the table, said: "To score a hat-trick in seven minutes, it blows people away. Oli's got pace, he's got great finishing ability and he can hold it in. That's why we brought him to the football club.
"This is the first time he's played that amount of games in a row for three or four seasons. He is beginning to find a rhythm, albeit the last few weeks the chances haven't fallen his way.
"To be honest, he probably could have had four because he snatched at a chance in the first half as well, but that is me being harsh.
"I thought we were dogged. I didn't think it was a great game and it could have gone either way.
"Charlie Albinson makes an unbelievable save at 0-0 and that, for me, swings the game in
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John Rankin