Hamilton Accies will appeal ex-Rangers star's red card in win over Cove

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin says the club will appeal Ben Williamson’s red card in their 2-0 win over Cove Rangers.

Accies reduced the gap on leaders Falkirk to nine points, with a game in hand, with goals from Kevin O’Hara and Jamie Barjonas, either side of ex-Rangers midfielder Williamson’s straight red card for a challenge on Cove’s Kyle Connell.

Cove were also reduced to 10 men when ex-Accies star Michael Doyle picked up a second booking for hand ball.

Rankin felt Hamilton’s first-half performance was their worst of the season so far, but reckons the red card was harsh.

He said: “I’ve seen it again. I can see the referee is facing it and Ben has his back to him, so the referee’s position makes it probably look worse.

“Ben’s legs are bent, it’s not a straight-legged challenge, so that’s one that right now I’m saying we will certainly appeal.

“I look at it, there’s no studs up, no malice in the challenge.”

“Ben is hugely competitive, he’s a big competitor in the middle of the pitch, and that is his game.

“He’s rusty, he’s not played for six months, or for a long time, but we’ll get him up to speed.

“He’s a fit boy, he’s got great running ability, which you need, or we want, and I thought his performance before he got sent off was really good.

“He did exactly as we said, and he complimented Kyle MacDonald in the middle of the pitch really well.

“I’m disappointed that he’s been sent off,, but Ben will learn from that, he’s only a young kid.

“I have to say that when we went down to 10 men, the support the crowd gave us in the second half was needed and we’re thankful for that.

“It was needed to push us on, and when they’re helping us with that we’re all on the same page.”

Accies could have been further ahead at the