Match Report: Hamilton 0-0 Partick Thistle
Under-fire referee Steven McLean rejected several penalty appeals as Hamilton and Partick Thistle played out a goalless Ladbrokes Premiership draw.
McLean was in charge again two days after a controversial Betfred Cup semi-final between Motherwell and Rangers but there was far less action at the SuperSeal Stadium.
Thistle hit the frame of the goal through Kris Doolan and Miles Storey, while substitute David Templeton missed a great chance for Accies.
In the end, neither side will be too dejected to claim a point. The visitors moved off the bottom of the table while Hamilton stopped a run of six consecutive defeats.
Thistle defender Danny Devine had a stinging shot punched away before Antonio Rojano showed a brief glimpse of class on his full Hamilton debut with a chest and volley on the turn, although it was several yards off target.
The visitors had the better of the early exchanges and Doolan smacked a 20-yard drive off the post before Gary Woods got down to hold Paul McGinn's strike on the rebound.
McLean had missed several major incidents at Hampden, including a kick by Bruno Alves on Louis Moult which saw the Rangers defender offered a two-match ban.
The referee rejected two penalty appeals in the first half from Accies, who grew into the game. Firstly Greg Docherty appealed for a foul by Jordan Turnbull, but the Hamilton midfielder appeared to back into the defender before going down.
And McLean had a tough call on the stroke of half-time when Niall Keown tripped Rojano on the edge of the box - he gave a free-kick when the hosts shouted for a spot-kick. Steven Boyd whipped in a delivery which Dougie Imrie headed just wide.
The game was crying out for inspiration and Martin Canning turned to Templeton in the 49th minute as Boyd went off. The former Rangers winger curled just off target with one of his first touches.
Storey inadvertently came close with a cross which bounced off the bar before he missed a clear chance after being played through by McGinn. The forward took the pass down on the run but lost his balance and shot well over.
McLean soon came under pressure from the Thistle fans with two handball appeals in quick succession but both looked hopeful and Woods denied McGinn in between.
Templeton had Hamilton's best chance when he ran on to Imrie's cutback 12 yards out but he shot just wide of the top corner