Hamilton Accies got their Championship campaign back on track as they grabbed a solid win against 10-man Queen of the South at Palmerston Park this afternoon.
Goals from David Moyo, Jamie Hamilton and Josh Mullin saw the three points heading back up the road to South Lanarkshire, as Queens played most of the game without captain Wullie Gibson.
Hamilton were able to turn on the style as Ronan Hughes set up Hamilton and a great team build-up resulted in Mullin's second goal of the season.
The result puts Stuart Taylor's side five points clear of Ayr United in sixth, though their rivals have a game in hand.
Accies took the lead in 21 minutes when David Moyo reacted fastest to smash the ball into the net after Josh Mullin's penalty was saved by Josh Rae.
While Accies players celebrated, Gibson was over at referee Barry Cook and whatever he said resulted in first a booking and then a straight red card.
In the second half Accies continued to probe their hosts and eventually stretched their lead through Jamie Hamilton and Josh Mullin.
Queens haven't been in action since December 18 when they demolished Ayr United 3-0, and boss Allan Johnston made four changes to that line-up. Goalkeeper Rae came in for Sol Brynn, who has been recalled by Middlesbrough. Alex Cooper, Ruben Soares Junior and Ally Roy came in for Max Johnston, Ruari Paton and Innes Cameron.
Accies head coach Stuart Taylor made two changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Kilmarnock on Boxing Day. New signings Daniel O'Reilly was handed his debut in place of Kieran MacDonald, while Marley Redfern came in for Andy Ryan. Fellow new signing Ellis Brown was on the bench.
Mihai Popescu became the first Romanian to captain Accies.
A slow start to the game saw both sides cancel each other out with just a half-chance inside eight minutes as Moyo headed a Josh Mullin corner past the right post.
Josh Todd then sent Junior through on the left for Queens, but his shot was blocked by Joe Hilton before Jamie Hamilton cleared it off the line in 12 minutes.
A frankly dull game livened up in 20 minutes when Hamilton were awarded a controversial penalty before Queens captain Wullie Gibson was shown a straight red card.
Hughes was tripped in the box by Roberto Nditi, and although Mullin's penalty was saved at the bottom left corner, Moyo reacted to smash it into the net.
Gibson was immediately over at referee Barry Cook and was shown a red card.
Hamilton had the ball in the net in 24 minutes, but Matthew Shiels was flagged offside, perhaps harshly.
Lewis Smith went close to stretching Hamilton's lead with a low effort from distance that flew just past the right post in 27 minutes.
Ronan Hughes was next to have a go from just outside the box, but his shot was comfortably saved by Rae.
Queens weren't out of the game though, and Connelly had a shot saved by Hilton in 31 minutes.
At the other end Shiels fired over a driven cross from the left that was just too far ahead of Moyo at the back post.
Hamilton should have been 2-0 up in 38 minutes when Josh Debayo was mugged by Lewis Smith, who raced in on goal but opted to cut the ball over to Moyo, who was tackled as he pulled the trigger.
Accies could have extended their lead in 50 minutes when Moyo set up Hughes, who cut the ball back to Mullin, but his shot was blocked.
Mullin then went close again two minutes later as he sent a soaring shot off the inside of the right post, along the goal-line and out.
Moyo then hooked the ball up for himself before hitting it with an acrobatic shot, but Rae saved well at his near post.
Smith and Hughes then combined to set up Moyo on the edge of the box, with his shot tipped over the bar in 58 minutes.
Accies went close again in 67 minutes when Shiels crossed for Moyo, but he sent his effort wide of the left post.
Mullin saw his free kick well saved at the right post two minutes later as Hamilton continued to push.
But Accies got their second goal in 70 minutes when Hughes set up Jamie Hamilton with a delightful back-heel and he smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
And they bagged their third in 78 minutes with a well-worked goal when Hughes, Shiels and Moyo combined well to set up Mullin to smash the ball into the bottom right corner.
Brown was denied a dream debut as Rae saved his near-post header from a Mullin cross in 85 minutes.
QUEEN OF THE SOUTH: Rae, Cooper, Gibson, East, Debayo, Nditi, McGrory, Connelly (Fitzpatrick, 87), Todd, Junior (Joseph, 73), Roy (Liddle, 60).
Subs (not used): Cowie (GK), McKechnie.
Sent off: Gibson (21)
Bookings: Gibson (20), McGrory (73)
HAMILTON: Hilton, Hamilton, Popescu, O'Reilly, Shiels, Virtanen, L. Smith (Ryan, 67), Hughes (Winter, 82), Redfern (Brown, 82), Mullin, Moyo.
Subs (not used): J. Smith (GK), Easton, Munro, McGinn.
Referee: Barry Cook.
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