Martin Canning tells Hamilton fans to be patient as club look to bolster squad

Hamilton manager Martin Canning promised fans the club were doing everything to strengthen the squad after they suffered a 2-1 Betfred Cup defeat at Ayr.

Canning came under fire from a section of the visiting support at Somerset Park soon after the hosts took the lead through Alan Forrest's first-minute penalty. A wonder strike by Robbie Crawford had the Honest Men home and dry before Louis Longridge pulled a goal back for Accies in stoppage time.

Accies fielded new signing Remi Matthews in goal following his loan move from Norwich, with Michael McGovern tipped to go the other way.

But Canning is still looking to replace Ziggy Gordon, Lucas Tagliapietra and Carlton Morris following a slow start to his transfer activity.

"It's still early on, it's only our third game, so it is early in the season," he said. "We know we need players, we need to get players in, and it's a case of being patient. We're working hard, the work is being done.

"We were off it, we weren't sharp enough and didn't work the ball quickly enough. We were in control for large periods of the game, but without ever looking like being a threat, which isn't good enough. We know we can do better.

"I don't need that result to show me what I need to do. We need players in, we're looking and we're trying, but it isn't easy to get players of the right calibre that will improve us."