Frustrated Derek McInnes has admitted there is now very little room for further error if misfiring Aberdeen are to beat Hibs to third spot.
The Dons, ironically, moved a point closer to Hibs, who still have a game in hand, with the gap closed to three points after this goalless draw with Hamilton.
McInnes acknowledged it was another golden opportunity missed as his side failed to take their chances again.
It is now one goal and one win in nine games for the Pittodrie outfit.
McInnes said: “There is not a lot of room for error.
“We are going to have to outshoot Hibs in terms of getting results and we certainly cannot fall further behind Hibs.
“The post-split games are where it will be sorted out and we should have three at home.
“It’s not easy but it’s certainly not beyond us.”
McInnes is adamant he sends his teams out to attack but it is just not clicking.
He explained: “We tried to play our front three against their back three. We played Niall McGinn, Florian Kamberi and Callum Hendry and all three had chances.
“If you get the first goal it helps with confidence, the flow of the game but if you don’t score goals when you are on top it can come back to bite you.
“We have to take confidence from the clean sheet and being a point closer to Hibs but we felt we missed an opportunity today.”
Aberdeen, who expect Fraser Hornby to be back for the Dundee United game, made two changes with Dylan McGeouch and Callum Hendry coming in for Connor McLennan and Dean Campbell.
Accies went in short of attacking options with Bruce Anderson unable to play as part of his loan agreement and Marius Ogkmpoe out with a hamstring issue.
It meant a makeshift front two of David Moyo and winger Nathan Thomas, as they came in for Anderson and Charlie Trafford.
The game was a bit of a slow burner before Ross Callachan played in David Moyo but his low shot was easily held by Joe Lewis.
Accies then were nearly architects of their own downfall in the 17th minute.
Lee Hodson played it back to Jamie Hamilton who slipped and allowed Niall McGinn to burst into the box.
The Northern Irish cap squared to Flo Kamberi as Ryan Fulton raced off his line but he took too many touches and Aaron Martin managed to get a block in. McGinn followed up but Brian Easton got back to head off the line.
Aberdeen continued to push and Kamberi’s pass found McGinn and his low cross from the left was swept over by Hendry.
McGinn’s corner from the opposite side eventually dropped to Hendry again but Scott McMann dived in to clear.
The Dons pushed and a superb ball from Ross McCrorie up the right released Kamberi and he pulled it back but Hendry knocked it across the gaping goal.
The on-loan St Johnstone striker could easily have had a hat-trick although the positive for the Dons was, at least, he was getting into the right positions.
Accies defended doggedly and that allowed them to come back into things at the end of the half.
On-form Callachan’s determined run found Nathan Thomas who set up Moyo, who cut inside and had a shot blocked by Tommie Hoban before Lee Hodson had another effort charged down by Andrew Considine.
Thomas suffered a knock in that attack and had to make way for Callum Smith seconds later. He left the stadium on crutches.
Taylor made a good block on Scott McMann but Accies won it back and Callachan let fly from 30 yards, which came off the Dons defender to force Lewis, at full-stretch, to tip wide at his left post.
Aberdeen tried to counter in the final attack when Hayes switched it across field to McGinn but he pulled his shot wide.
The Dons came back out and were keen to regain the initiative.
Kamberi got up well but couldn’t get enough power on his header and Fulton was able to gather.
Hayes then found McGinn on the left hand side but his shot was well pushed away by the Accies No. 1.
Referee Bobby Madden then infuriated Accies with a couple of decisions.
McGeouch's tackle sent an Accies player through but the offside flag went up even though it was clearly played by a home player.
Hamilton also felt they should have had a penalty when Scott Martin’s shot hit the arm of Considine in the box but neither went their way.
The visitors then missed a glorious opportunity to go ahead in the 78th minute.
Moyo’s cross found Smith but he mis-kicked when it looked like he was going to score.
The ball fell to Martin but his effort was blocked by Andrew Considine before Hodson’s shot was eventually gathered by Lewis.
