Billy Reid is still waiting to see Hamilton win at home this season. While their is still a slim chance of avoiding the drop into the First Division, the lack of home wins is a major factor in their precarious position. Dougie Imrie put Accies ahead against Aberdeen at New Douglas Park, after Chris Maguire was denied from the penalty spot by Tomas Cerny. Nick Blackman came off the Dons' bench to ensure the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The result left Hamilton nine points behind St Mirren who they meet in what will be a vital game next week. However, Reid is not willing to contemplate the prospect of First Division football next season just yet.
He said: "We go into the next game, we go to new St Mirren Park and it's a place we like going. We've got a decent record there bar the last game and we go there to try and win the game. We march on and see where we go. There was a penalty given against us and I'm not too sure if there was a lot in the penalty. I've just seen it on TV but as usual it's given against us. Cerny has pulled off a great save and we were thinking it could be our day. They had a great chance and Mark McLaughlin has cleared it off the line when it looked like being a certain goal. In terms of effort and endeavour, I don't think the players could have given any more. But it sums up our season. We could have won the game and I think we have had 11 or 12 draws this season and we just haven't managed to get over the line. The amount of times we have been leading and not managed to see it out has killed us."
The result guaranteed Aberdeen SPL safety, albeit they were outsiders to be dragged into the relegation dog-fight. And Dons boss Craig Brown was also pleased that his side will not be the club responsible for consigning Hamilton to First Division football next season. He said: "I'd hope not for the sake of Hamilton because I'm from Hamilton. I think it clears us of any doubt. I was never complacent thinking we were very good but I didn't honestly think there was a chance of us being brought into a relegation situation. We've got three home games coming and our objective now is to show enough in these games to convince the fans it's worth buying a season ticket for next year and that next year will be brighter."
Brown is already without six first team regulars but does not expect goalkeeper Jamie Langfield to join the casualty list, despite being forced out of the action after being caught in the face by the boot of team-mate Zander Diamond. He said: "Knowing Jamie, he's a brave guy and I can see him wanting to play on Saturday. I was saying to him that it's just as well his wedding photos have been taken because he's got seven stitches on his face. He's a brave guy. It looks terrible, it's a very angry-looking gash he's got. But Mark Howard came on and did a competent job in his absence."