Hamilton Accies boss admits Cove Rangers win wasn't pretty, but it's three points

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin was pleased to get their League One campaign off to a flier with a 1-0 win over 10-man Cove Rangers, and says it’s not always going to be pretty.

Accies took a valuable three points when Dylan Tait’s cross was turned into his own net by defender Josh Kerr, and their task was made easier 10 minutes from time when captain Paul McGowan was shown a straight red card for an offensive gesture to Accies fans.

The former Dundee and Accies midfielder had earlier had a goal chalked off for offside.

Hamilton created several chances, with Tait, Reghan Tumilty and Jackson Longridge all going close in a 90 minutes they dominated.

Rankin said: “It’s important, when you start a new season you always want to start in a winning environment, and we’re trying to create that.

“Could we have been more ruthless? Yes, I think we could have, but at the end of the day, we’ve won 1-0 at home, got a clean sheet and it’s something to build on, so I’m pleased.

“I’m pleased with the overall performance after last week, I felt we were flat in the second half, and that was the challenge to the players at half-time, not to let the game die and not to let them take control.

“They changed shape, and to try and deal with it was a wee bit difficult to begin with, and once we got to grips with it we were fine.

“I’m pleased to get three points, first and foremost, and that was the challenge we set the players today.

“You’re not going to win with great football every week.

“But having that desire to stop a shot, or a cross, and we had to rely on Jamie Smith for that one save, so it then becomes important that we’ve got that desire to not concede a goal.”

Rankin says his side tried to attack against a stuffy Cove team, but that