Hamilton 2 St Johnstone 4

Graham Cummins grabbed a double as Hamilton suffered a second heavy defeat of the season at the hands of St Johnstone. David Wotherspoon and Michael O'Halloran were also on target in St Johnstone's 4-2 win as the Perth side claimed all three points from the Premiership clash. Accies had previously endured their worst result of the campaign so far against St Johnstone - a 4-1 loss. Top scorer Steven MacLean - who netted a hat-trick in that game - was not risked this time due to the artificial surface at New Douglas Park. Accies player-boss Martin Canning named himself in the team in place of the suspended Lucas Tagliapietra - his first start in almost seven months. It was Hamilton who started more brightly and they could have been ahead after eight minutes when Ali Crawford released Gramoz Kurtaj into the box. His shot was blocked but fell kindly for Christian Nade who was denied by a good point-blank save from Alan Mannus. The home side continued to push for the opener and the Saints goalkeeper was called into action again, this time to parry a well-struck free-kick from Jesus Garcia Tena from 25 yards out. The visitors had a chance to pile on the pressure with a set-piece of their own just outside the area. But although Liam Craig's effort curled narrowly past the far post, goalkeeper Michael McGovern appeared to have it covered. Hamilton had carved out the best of the chances but they were punished for not capitalising on their dominance when Saints opened the scoring five minutes before the break. Brian Easton whipped a cross into the box from the left where Cummins was waiting to nod beyond the reach of McGovern. There was worse to come for Accies when they found themselves further behind just four minutes after the restart. O'Halloran forced a decent block from McGovern but the ball fell to the feet of Cummins who lashed home the rebound from a tight angle to claim his second of the day. Saints were on a roll now and extended their lead further with 63 minutes on the clock. A cross-cum-shot from Craig was swiped at by the goalkeeper and landed well for Wotherspoon to send a left-footed shot past McGovern. And the Accies goalkeeper was beaten once again just four minutes later. With confidence sky-high, O'Halloran let fly from 20 yards to leave the net bulging and put the result beyond doubt. The home side pulled a goal back with nine minutes remaining when Garcia Tena rifled home a free-kick from just outside the box. The defender then converted from the penalty spot in the last minute after he was fouled in the box by Murray Davidson.