Ross County 2 Hamilton 1

A superb strike from Ian McShane clinched all points for 10-man Ross County in an all-action clash with Hamilton at the Global Energy Stadium. McShane fired home a stunning free-kick with 12 minutes left and with the Premiership game in the balance. Alex Schalk scored in stoppage time in the first half to give County the lead, but the dismissal of Jamie Reckord just after the break allowed Hamilton back into the game. Dougie Imrie made it 1-1 in the 66th minute when he nodded home, but McShane conjured the winner for the 10 men with his special strike. There was little in the way of goalmouth action in the opening spell and the first incident of note saw a booking for Hamilton defender Jesus Garcia Tena who clattered into County skipper Andrew Davies in the 12th minute. The first real chance came in the 21st minute when Schalk raced into the Hamilton box but Michael McGovern was quick off his line to block. Then Michael Gardyne drove at the Hamilton defence and fired in a low drive which McGovern did well to smother at his near post. A sweeping move by County in the 28th minute produced another good save from the Hamilton goalkeeper. Jackson Irvine linked with Schalk in the build-up which ended with a shot from Liam Boyce that McGovern parried. But it was not entirely one-way traffic, and at the other end Ali Crawford fired a low drive just wide of Scott Fox's right-hand post, then Darren Lyon sent a dipping effort which the County goalkeeper tipped over the crossbar. Hamilton were getting closer and threatened again in the 40th minute when Crawford curled a shot just wide. But the opening goal came at the other end when Richard Foster's free-kick was flicked on by Davies and Schalk headed over the line from close range. County were reduced to 10 men in the first minute of the second half when Reckord was red-carded for impeding Imrie on his way through on goal. From the resultant free-kick, Fox made a flying save from Crawford and the ball went behind for a corner. The County goalkeeper had to throw himself on the ball after a scramble when Quinn cleared a Lucas Tagliapietra effort off the goal-line, with Hamilton's players claiming it had crossed. Then Imrie was denied again by another impressive save from Fox who got across to push his shot behind. The extra man advantage paid off for Hamilton when a deep cross from Kurtaj was met by Imrie who nodded past Fox from eight yards. However, County got their noses in front again in the 78th minute when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area. Crawford brought down Davies and McShane stepped up to curl his shot high into the net.