Hamilton grabbed a priceless three points to give them real hope of producing another Premiership great escape.
Brian Rice’s men produced their first win in 10 when they needed it most, thanks to goals from Ross Callachan and David Moyo that were enough to withstand St Mirren ’s fightback from Jamie McGrath’s 16th goal of the season.
It was no more than Accies deserved and sets them up for a blockbuster in Dingwall a week on Wednesday.
St Mirren’s team selection suggested Jim Goodwin had one eye on next weekend’s Scottish Cup semi final as he rested first team regulars like Ilkay Durmus and McGrath.
Connor McCarthy was also due to sit on the bench but was drafted into the starting line-up at the last minute after Marcus Fraser suffered an injury in the warm-up.
Hamilton had no such luxury. Sitting bottom of the table, they were very much in must-win territory and Brian Rice - sitting in the stand serving a dugout ban - had to go with his strongest line-up, although a host of first team stalwarts were out injured.
With no wins in their last nine matches, this was looking like the season where they’d finally fail to beat the odds but they weren’t likely to go down without a fight.
There was plenty of endeavour in the early stages but neither keeper had to work until the 10th minute when Kyle Gourlay had to take two attempts to smother a dangerous low cross into his six yard box from Cammy Macpherson.
At the other end, a lack of communication between Jak Alnwick and Daniel Finlayson allowed Callachan, who had just been booked for a body check on Jay Henderson, to nip in and almost give Accies the lead. The midfielder’s shot drifted just wide.
This, though, was a decent spell for the visitors, who almost took the lead in the 15th minute when St Mirren cleared a Scott McMann free kick to the edge of the box, giving Hakeem Odoffin a shooting chance. The midfielder caught it well but it struck McCarthy and flew wide.
Accies were looking the more likely without really threatening again, until the 27th minute when they took the lead through Callachan. The goal was conceded far too easily for Goodwin’s liking, with his defenders static as Reegan Minmaugh played the ball out to the right for Lee Hodson to steer it towards the near post where Callachan was lurking to volley low past Alnwick’s right hand.
It was a priceless strike and further fuelled Hamilton’s determination. They were flying into their challenges with more ferocity than their hosts and deserved the lead they took up the tunnel at the break.
It took them 12 minutes into the second half to double their lead and while there was a touch of luck about the finish, Accies couldn’t have cared less.
David Moyo took the acclaim after Bruce Anderson’s shot, which was flying wide, struck his foot and sent Alnwick the wrong way but Moyo deserved all the credit for the manner in which he robbed Macpherson to set up his strike partner in the first place - then followed in to be in the right place at the right time.
Goodwin made a triple change on the hour mark, bringing on McGrath, Durmas and Lee Erwin for Macpherson, Richard Tait and Quaner and within seconds were almost back in business.
McGrath’s free kick into the box found Kristian Dennis, whose acrobatic effort was brilliantly saved by Kyle Gourlay.
Accies raced to the other end and Callachan’s piledriver from 25 yards deserved a better fate than smashing off the bar.
Anderson then tested Alnwick with a fierce shot as the visitors tried to put the game to bed.
They paid the price for not doing so in the 71st minute when McGrath pounced on a touch from Jay Henderson to smash Saints back into the game from the edge of the box.
And St Mirren should have levelled seven minutes from time when Gourlay fired a clearance straight to Erwin, who picked out Henderson with a superb pass but the youngster drilled his shot over from 14 yards.
But Accies hung on and will feel they’ve given themselves a real chance of staying up yet again.
3 talking points
Callachan stars
Ross Callachan not only scored the goal but led by example throughout, winning tackles and guiding Accies’ younger players through a match that had to be won. If the Lanarkshire outfit escape, it will be in no small part due to the veteran.
St Mirren on the beach
St Mirren looked like their minds were elsewhere and of particular concern to Jim Goodwin would have been the lacklustre display of their strikers, who rarely put the Accies back lot under pressure.
Highland six pointer
Next up for Accies is a trip to Dingwall in a match of monumental importance for both sides. A win for Brian Rice’s men would put them above their hosts on goal difference and a repeat of today’s performance will give them a real chance.
