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.