Hamilton 0 Partick 0

Hamilton were forced to settle for a goalless draw despite a dominant display against 10-man Partick Thistle in their Ladbrokes Premiership curtain-raiser at New Douglas Park.

Accies played some nice football at times and looked more dangerous in front of goal but could not find the back of the net.

They had been widely tipped for the drop before a ball had even been kicked this season.

But, despite failing to secure a deserved three points from their opening match, they will be able to take plenty of positives into the campaign ahead.

Although neither side created much in the opening exchanges, Hamilton looked like they had a bit more to offer than their opponents.

And the match swung in their favour when Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 25 minutes.

Frederic Frans had already been booked and a second caution for a challenge on Antons Kurakins saw him dismissed by referee Brian Colvin.

Ali Crawford failed to capitalise with the resulting free-kick, which was comfortably cleared by the Partick defence.

The home side had another chance to put their visitors under pressure when Dougie Imrie whipped a cross into the box from the right but Chris Turner glanced his header just wide.

Imrie was the provider again just before the break, cutting back for Crawford who sliced his shot across the face of goal and past the far post.

It was a bad miss from Crawford, who knew he should have given his side a deserved lead heading into half-time.

He had the chance to make amends on the hour mark with an angled drive from close range that was smothered by goalkeeper Tomas Cerny at the second attempt.

Crawford was involved in the action again when he released Louis Longridge through on goal but, with only the keeper to beat, he came off second best against Cerny.

Longridge then smashed a shot into the side-netting as Accies continued to search for the elusive opening goal. Crawford must have thought it was to be his day after all when he unleashed a fierce shot from 20 yards that looked goal-bound all the way - until Cerny produced a fantastic save to tip just over.

Accies had certainly produced the more enterprising football but their finishing ultimately let them down.

Crawford saw another effort fizz past the upright and Greg Docherty smashed a shot off the post late on as the match ended all square.