Livingston 3 Hamilton 0: Accies lacked leaders, says boss after dismal display

By Ian Steven

Hamilton manager John Rankin demanded more leadership from his side after the Accies were on the sharp end of a second half collapse against Livingston.

The first half was an evenly contested affair, but David Martindale’s men raced away in the second period, thanks mainly to some inspirational play from Scott Pittman and a virtuoso substitute appearance from Robbie Muirhead

Former Accies ace Stevie May came close on a couple of occasions before the Lions eventually took the lead through Pittman, with the midfielder taking advantage of a wayward interception from Regan Tumilty the rifle his effort into the top corner from just outside the box.

The home side doubled their lead with 15 minutes remaining as Daniel Finlayson delivered a perfectly flighted cross to the back post for substitute Robbie Muirhead to slam into the net.

Muirhead did not have long to wait to grab his second as Pittman played the winger clean through on goal to slot under Albinson, leaving Rankin searching for some accountability in his side.

“As soon as it went 2-0, it looked as if some were ready to go and press and some were willing to sit in,” Rankin stated. “We need that leadership and pitch at that point. That's the disappointing part. How do you get that leadership? I think you get it through the group growing.

“The group has to grow this afternoon. When we go 1-0 down, I think we get ourselves into a position where we don't concede straight away, and we make sure that we get ourselves back into the game. Disappointing thing, I don't think we tested the goalkeeper at all. We get balls into the box, but again, they picked up seconds, they were across, they looked as if they were hungry to get anything on the end anything in