Hamilton Accies losing energy when they score and that must change, says John Rankin as he eyes Inverness redepmtion

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin reckons his side lose energy instead of gaining it when they take leads in matches - and that must change fast.

Failing to hold on to leads has become a worrying hallmark of the club's start to the season so far, with four draws in their opening games coupled with one win and a defeat.

Last week's late equaliser for Cove Rangers in a 2-2 draw was another frustrating example of the club letting a winning position slip.

And as they return north on Saturday to face Inverness Caledonian Thistle they have more than one point to prove.

Accies were turned over 4-0 on their last visit in their final Championship clash of last season, conceding all four goals in the first half hour.

So Rankin, who was assistant to Stuart Taylor at that point, is determined to put things right as he aims to get to the bottom of their trait of letting leads slip.

He said: "It seems to be lately that when we score a goal and go in front, we actually lose energy rather than gain energy.

"So that will change and it will change through a matter of practice and a matter of time.

"You are looking at it and you are asking why it is still happening [losing leads], but the depth in the squad at the moment doesn't allow us the opportunity to make changes when we want to do so.

"That has an impact.

"That is not an excuse, that is just the way it is, and we need to be mentally stronger.

"Our mentality has got to change so that when we get in front we don't give the other team a sniff, never mind a shot at our goal.

"The two goals at the weekend are very disappointing.

"When we look at what we identified before the game as Cove's strengths, for somebody to have four touches 30 yards from goal before they get a shot away is not