Kilmarnock made Hamilton regret several missed chances as Accies lost the tight Championship encounter 2-1 at Rugby Park.
Oli Shaw put Tommy Wright's men into an early lead but Hamilton struck back almost instantly through Jamie Hamilton, both goals coming less than 10 minutes into the game.
The second half saw the tempo drop from the first period where the away side created an abundance of chances. David Moyo had the best Accies chance after half-time with a bouncing header going inches over the bar.
Heartbreak soon descended upon Hamilton as Daniel Armstrong curled a cross into Accies' net late in the second half.
Head coach Stuart Taylor's side are eighth In the Championship and two points off bottom after a sixth league defeat of the campaign from 10 games, but showed improvement from their previous league outing, a 6-1 home defeat to Partick Thistle.
Hamilton made four changes from the side that was thrashed Thistle in their last league outing. Out went Luke Matheson, Shaun Want, Miko Virtanen and Marley Redfern, with Brian Easton, Hamilton, Reegan Mimnaugh and Moyo coming in.
Things couldn't have started any worse for Taylor's men. Killie striker Shaw found it far to easy to waltz through on goal after four minutes, beating a helpless Ryan Fulton in the Hamilton net with ease.
Kilmarnock's lead lasted three minutes as Accies provided an almost instant reply. Josh Mullin's corner from the right met the head of centre-back Hamilton, who did well to guide it into the net.
The New Douglas Park side needed a response from their Thistle hammering and an early setback seemed to provide them with a much-needed wake-up call.
Moyo almost got in on the scoring act in bizarre circumstances, closing down goalkeeper Zach Hemming, who's clearance deflected off the Hamilton forward. The move ended on 11 minutes with Andy Ryan's bundled effort over the bar.
It was a frantic first 20 minutes as both sides aimed for control of the match, without much success. Ryan would have a big chance on 21 minutes, having a clear shot at goal just outside the box, but his effort trundled towards Hemming.
Shaw was searching for his second of the match but the Kilmarnock striker's shot soared over the bar on 23 minutes. No sooner than 30 seconds later was Ryan trying his luck again at the other end, but he curled his attempt low and wide.
Josh Mullin was the next Hamilton player to have a go at goal, but his was the most audacious. The on-loan Livingston man's strike from 30 yards sailed over the bar.
Kilmarnock were booed down the tunnel at half-time, which was a testament to the pressure Hamilton had put on the home team. Only one side looked like scoring the next goal after the interval.
Former Motherwell midfielder Liam Polworth came on for Fraser Murray as Kilmarnock looked to turn the tide. They started with more impetus, but Accies were holding firm.
The first 15 minutes of the second half brought little action, a sharp contrast to the manic opening the game endured. Kilmarnock were dominating the ball though, and most of the attacking play.
Kieran MacDonald had the away side's first chance of the half on 62 minutes after great play from Lewis Smith. The Scotland youth international brought down a loose ball well before the left-back forced a save from Hemming.
Moyo's chance two minutes later was even bigger, and Accies were left wondering how they weren't ahead. The striker found space in the box but a fantastic save from Hemming denied Hamilton's number 20 from five yards out.
Taylor's side had picked the pace up again and Moyo fashioned a chance 20 minutes from time after more good work from Smith, but he blasted over.
Despite the numerous Hamilton chances, as the clock approached its final 15 minutes, it appeared as if one more goal would be enough to send three points either way.
That goal did come 16 minutes from the end, and it was a sore one for Accies. Armstrong's cross into the Hamilton box evaded everyone and beat Fulton to put Kilmarnock ahead.
Hamilton didn't create much after this blow, and despite showing fight after last week's dismal match, it wasn't enough to take anything from this encounter.
Hamilton XI: Fulton; Hamilton Popescu, Easton, MacDonald; Mimnaugh, Hughes (McGowan, 81), Mullin; Ryan, Moyo, Smith (Redfern, 77).
Subs (not used): Hilton, Matheson, Shiels, Stirling, Munro.
Kilmarnock XI: Hemming; Naismith, Murray, McGowan, Waters; Burke (Armstrong, 68), McGinn, Alston, Murray (Polworth, 45); Shaw, Hendry (Lyons, 85).
Subs (Not used): Walker, Sanders, Hodson, Robinson.
Referee: Alan Newlands
Attendance: 3,969
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