Martin Canning enjoys extra benefits of Scottish League Cup campaign
Midfielder Ali Crawford sent the Premiership club on their way to a victory.
Martin Canning welcomed the dual benefits of the Scottish League Cup after Hamilton reached the knockout stages with a 3-0 home win over Stenhousemuir.
Midfielder Ali Crawford sent the Premiership club on their way to a victory which would ultimately see them top Group G when he opened the scoring with a 25-yard free-kick.
Second-half goals from attacker David Templeton and his replacement Steven Boyd helped Hamilton pip Lanarkshire rivals Albion Rovers to the summit to ensure Accies would be in the last-16 draw.
However, Canning was also pleased that four group games have put his squad in good condition for their Premiership opener against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
He said: "I am happy to be through. Obviously these games can be difficult when teams sit behind the ball and make it difficult to play.
"Now we look forward to the draw and seeing who we get.
"We are now building up to Aberdeen on Sunday and we need to be fully focused on that.
"You moan about competitive games when you are playing them and now you are probably happy you have played four competitive games.
"We have had good fitness out of them, we have managed to get ourselves through and now hopefully we can be in our best shape to play Aberdeen.''
Stenhousemuir manager Brown Ferguson looked for the positives from his new-look side.
He said: "We were obviously up against a good team today but the lads have worked great.
"There are only three players who have stayed from last season so with any team it takes time to build.
"I seen enough from today to know the players are understanding the way we are trying to move forward.
"I was really pleased with the work rate and attitude but what we need to do now is convert that into results.''