Hamilton boss says 'blame me for Falkirk defeat, but at least I tried to have a go'

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin admits he might have got his tactics wrong at Falkirk this afternoon – but would rather go down while having a go.

Falkirk all but wrapped up the League One title with a 3-2 win at home to their nearest challengers, opening up an 11-point gap at the top – and with a game in hand against Montrose at the Falkirk Stadium on Tuesday potentially stretching that to 14.

Goals from Calumn Morrison, Ross Maciver and Calvin Miller had the Bairns seemingly cruising to three points inside the opening 27 minutes.

But Ahkeem Rose bagged his first two Hamilton goals in 32 and 57 minutes to provide a nervy last half-hour or so for most of the 5756 fans inside the Grangemouth stadium.

Rankin said: “Maybe I’ve got to hold my hands up and say ‘listen, we got it wrong today’.

“We went 4-4-2 and were really brave, but I’d rather be brave and get beat than come here, not try and attack and lose the game.

“I have to say I can take the flak.

“We had a game-plan to come here, be brave and get in their faces, put the ball forward and get opportunities, and I think we did that in the first half.

“That part is probably on us, I’m big enough to say that and take that, but how we react from then on in, the players’ reaction in the second half was really good.

“We tested their character at half-time, they responded, so we need to be ready to respond for the next six months, three months, or whatever it may be and make sure we’re there or thereabouts at the end of the season.”

Rankin conceded that the gap Falkirk have opened up leaves them with a mountain to climb, but says they will still make life as difficult as they can for the runaway leaders.

He said: “We’re not in a great position now. We’re a good few points