Hamilton Accies boss says subs key to sealing points at Cove Rangers

Hamilton Accies made it four wins on the bounce with a hard-fought victory at Cove Rangers on Saturday.

And boss John Rankin reckons his second-half substitutes were key to getting them over the line at Balmoral Stadium.

The visitors opened the scoring thanks to a Connor Scully own goal inside 13 minutes, however Scully atoned for that error with the equaliser in the 56th minute.

Accies threw on Jake Hastie, Euan Henderson and Marley Redfern in the second half and Henderson edged them in front seven minutes from time before a wonder strike from Kevin O’Hara, who has just signed a contract extension at New Douglas Park, sealed the points four minutes from time.

Rankin said: “I thought we were really good in the first half but the conditions were really difficult.

“The wind was so strong that one of [goalkeeper] Dean Lyness’ kicks almost blew straight back into his 18-yard box.

“We dominated the first half in terms of keeping the ball and creating opportunities, but we never capitalised on them which was the disappointing part, going in at half-time with a 1-0 lead.

“In the second half the wind was a problem again because it was behind us and we couldn’t get the ball to stick.

“We were over-hitting it or the passing distance was becoming too long and inaccurate.

“That gave Cove a bit of impetus and they scored a really good goal to get back into the game.

“But what really changed it for us was Jake Hastie coming on, driving forward and getting the ball to Kev, who hit the bar.

“That chance gave us a bit of belief that we could go on and win the game.

“The changes certainly affected the game. Jake, Euan Henderson and Marley Redfern swung the game in our favour.

“Hendo was in the right place at the right time for his goal