Canning questions McKinnon sending off

Hamilton had Darian McKinnon sent off as they were beaten 1 - nil by Inverness.

He was ordered off in the 75th minute after picking up two yellow cards in quick succession - one for a challenge on Iain Vigurs and one for dissent towards referee Stephen Finnie.

Accies boss Martin Canning said: "I don't think it was a foul in the first place. It wasn't a booking but the ref said he's sworn at him. That happens continually during games all over the pitch.

"Darian said on the way off he hadn't done anything wrong.''

Inverness manager John Hughes was happy to see his side move into seventh place on the park - and not by getting an unexpected three points from Dundee United.

Caley Thistle leapfrogged Dundee in the Premiership table hours after United were docked three points for including two unregistered players - Ali Coote and Jamie Robson - in their squad for their 3-2 win at Inverness on Friday night.

The pair had just returned from loan spells and were not eligible to play with United's mistake costing them three points, but there was no reversal of the scoreline in Caley Thistle's favour.

When asked whether he felt his team should have had the points, Hughes said: "I would take them if they gave us them but I didn't expect them, no chance.

"I'd like to but I think everyone else would have a say. You have to watch what precedent you set.

"It's an easy mistake. We have been very close ourselves with guys coming back from loans and you have to check and double-check. It's a minefield out there.

"The players never had much of an impact.''

Hughes, who revealed goalscorer Danny Devine was close to finalising a new contract, added: "We're seventh so it's all about Saturday, a good game at home to Dundee and hopefully we can finish with a win.''

Devine netted after a 41st-minute free-kick but Inverness were hanging on at the end despite Hamilton being down to 10 men.