Hamilton Accies have crashed out of the Betfred Cup with a group game to spare after a shock 2-1 defeat to League Two Stranraer tonight.
And pressure is mounting on gaffer Brian Rice after a nightmare week.
Brian Rice had this morning called on his players to earn back the respect and appreciation of the fans after their 8-0 humiliation at Ibrox on Sunday by beating Stranraer. The manner of that result led to supporters confronting Rice outside New Douglas Park on the team's return from Govan and he took the time to address them and apologise.
However, Rice didn't get the reaction he demanded of his charges and his hopes of appeasing angry fans took a massive dent, with strikes from Tam Orr and Darryl Duffy either side of Hakeem Odoffin's header inflicting Hamilton's 11th defeat in 15 outings this season.
It's the second time in a month Accies have been sent packing by a League Two side, after Annan beat them 3-1 in the opening game of Group F.
Accies have been beset by injuries to key players including David Templeton, Kyle Munro and Charlie Trafford, as well as Covid disruption, but supporters would still expect there to be enough in the squad to see off part-time sides.
On Saturday Accies will close out their campaign at home to Albion Rovers in what is now a dead rubber. Anann top the group on seven points and Ayr and Stranraer, who play each other this weekend, are both on six points. Accies are currently on three, with Robvers on two points.
Hamilton's priority now will be to avoid further humiliation by finishing bottom of the five-team group.
Elsewhere tonight, Airdrieonians lost 1-0 at home to Edinburgh City in Group H.
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