Hamilton boss Brian Rice is happy to be off the foot of the Premiership table but he knows there is a long way to go.
After picking up a point in the goalless draw against Aberdeen, Accies leapfrogged Kilamrnock into 11th place.
The Ayrshire side are still without a win under Tommy Wright after losing to relegation rivals Ross County but Rice knows it's only the final standings that hold significance.
He said: "We are off the bottom and it's nice to be off the bottom. But it doesn't mean too much at this minute of time.
"We need to be there in the middle of May but it's a step in the right direction. It's been a tough four days, St Johnstone had just won the cup but we got a point there.
"For Hamilton to come up to Aberdeen and keep a clean sheet at any time is a great achievement and the point today is most welcome."
Accies had a strong case for a penalty in the second half when Scott Martin's shot struck Andrew Considine on the arm.
The Scotland international's arms were away from his body and the ball had travelled a considerable distance but referee Madden was unmoved.
Hamilton were unfortunate to concede an equaliser that looked offside on Wednesday against St Johnstone but Rice hopes that decisions will turn in their favour.
He said: "I don't want to speak too much about officials because Bobby is a good referee and all that stuff.
"But we've been on the end of a couple of dubious decisions in the last couple of weeks so hopefully it balances itself out in the next few weeks.
"It would be nice if we could have got a penalty but we can't do anything about it. We will just move on to the next game."
Hamilton have suffered major injury problems this season and their bad luck continued against Aberdeen.
Nathan Thomas, making his first start since returning from injury, limped off in the first half and captain Brian Easton hobbled off after sustaining a knee injury after turning awkwardly.
Rice said: "That's him {Thomas} just back after turning his ankle against St Johnstone on the 30th of September.
"That's his first game back but it looks like he's done it again. Brian Easton caught his studs on the grass but he was 33 yesterday so it's just old age, I hope.
"Hopefully it's not as bad as we first feared. I don't know much at this stage but I'm more hopeful for Easty than I am for Nathan."
Hakeem ODoffin played the majority of the second-half with his head bandaged after a collision with Easton but Rice confirmed his star man is absolutely fine.
He said: "He's a warrior. You could shoot him in the head and he'd still play on.
"That boy epitomises everything that is good about Hamilton. There is no way that he's ever coming off and he continues to put his head and body in.
"He loves the battle and I think you seen that today. Every single player did that today."
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