Hamilton were stung by a late penalty at Championship leaders Arbroath during a 2-2 draw.
Accies started brightly and got ahead through defender Dan O'Reilly in the first half.
A handball from close range though looked to have denied them a half-time lead as Nicky Low stepped up to dispatch past Joe Hilton in the Accies goal.
But work from Andy Ryan and Jamie Hamilton made sure this wasn't the case. Hamilton's cross into the penalty box on the stroke of the break was brilliant and Ryan dispatched.
Head coach Stuart Taylor's side had chances to double their lead through Ryan and were made to rue them a minute from 90 minutes being played by conceding another penalty.
Michael McKenna stepped up to score the spot kick in a late blow to Hamilton.
Scott Martin was injured midway through the second half. Accies remain sixth in the Championship.
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