Hamilton assistant provides Scott Martin injury update as he's left with mixed emotions after Arbroath draw

Hamilton assistant manager John Rankin knows Accies performed well at Championship leaders Arbroath - but how a 2-2 draw panned out has frustrated him.

Head coach Stuart Taylor wasn't present for the match due to Covid isolation but he'll have been pleased after Dan O'Reilly and Andy Ryan goals put Accies ahead at the break.

A Nicky Low penalty for the Gayfield side was sandwiched between O'Reilly and Ryan's goal, but it looked as if the New Douglas Park side would hold on for a win.

Then in the dying minutes, Brian Easton went to ground for a tackle with home striker Jamie Hamilton, bringing him down in the box.

Michael McKenna's penalty snatched three points away from Rankin's side as they sit sixth in the Championship. Rankin was pleased with the goals, but disappointed with how the game ended.

He said: "We've scored two completely different goals that were well-worked. It put us in a good position and in the second half, I didn't feel threatened at all. We were comfortable and we had a lot of leaders out on the pitch.

"A lot of voices were out there determined not to concede. Then the penalty happens and it's a difficult one as I don't think we need to go and challenge.

"Brian Easton held his hands up in the changing room and said he didn't need to go to ground. Fair play to him for saying that, but to concede a penalty at that stage, it's hard to take.

"We defended so well throughout the game and we conceded two penalties. We took the chances that came our way and I thought we showed some great battling qualities.

"Arbroath are top of the league because they are the best battling team in the league. They pick up second balls and make it difficult for you. We did that to them."

Midfielder Scott Martin was influential