Hamilton 5, Stirling 0: Accies boss John Rankin delighted with 'ruthless' win over Binos

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin says it’s disrespectful to suggest his side has been ‘waiting’ to thump a team, after sweeping Stirling Albion aside 5-0 on Saturday.

But the New Douglas Park gaffer praised his “ruthless” side for taking their chances and was delighted to see striker Kevin O’Hara hit a hat-trick.

Euan Henderson helped himself to a double in the rout, but would have hat a treble of his own but for a late penalty save by Stirling keeper Blair Currie, before Dale Hilson was shown a late red card for the visitors.

The result keeps Hamilton three points behind leaders Falkirk, but considerably helped their goal-difference.

O’Hara got Accies off the mark in 14 minutes, taking a pass on the right from Reghan Tumilty before ghosting past two defenders and smashing into the corner.

Hamilton doubled their lead in 38 minutes when goalkeeper Ryan Fulton sent O’Hara racing down the left and he unselfishly squared to Henderson, who rounded Currie to score in 38 minutes.

O’Hara could have made sure of the win ahead of the interval, but curled a shot wide of the right post inside stoppage time.

Henderson headed over from Tumilty’s inviting cross in 50 minutes.

But O’Hara picked up Scott Martin’s cutback to slam the ball into the net in 56 minutes to put Accies 3-0 ahead.

Ewan Wilson’s acrobatic clearance denied sub Lewis Smith a goal in 64 minutes, but he then mugged defender Paul McLean on the right to set up Henderson for his second and Accies’ fourth in 70 minutes.

O’Hara wrapped up the rout in 78 minutes when he curled a shot into the bottom left corner, taking his tally to six for the season.

Kieran Moore fouled Martin to concede a penalty in 85 minutes, but Henderson’s kick was saved at the left corner.

A