Two red cards as Hamilton hold Hearts

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24 Jan 2016

By Richard Wilson BSports Scotland at New Douglas Park

A fiercely contested game at New Douglas Park saw Hamilton and Hearts share two red cards but no goals.

It was Hearts who were first reduced to 10 men when Igor Rossi was sent off just before half-time.

He saw red for a two-footed tackle, while another heavy foul saw Hamilton's Jesus Garcia Tena dismissed in the second-half.

Hamilton will have valued the point, though, with Hearts hitting the woodwork three times.

The game began as a test of Hamilton's character, since the players could still have been emotionally bruised by their 8-1 loss to Celtic in midweek.

There was a natural retreat into being briskly and forcefully competitive. Martin Canning sent his side out in a 3-4-3 shape, to ensure there was cover in defence against Hearts' front two, but formation was secondary to attitude.

Pressure was applied swiftly and vigorously to any Hearts player on the ball and the opening half seldom raised itself above a general level of scrappy endeavour. Darian MacKinnon and Mickey Devlin also clattered into a couple of strong challenges that left opponents grounded.

Hearts sought to be progressive, but tended to be constrained. Even so, Rossi hit the post with a header and when Callum Paterson pounced on the rebound his effort was saved by the Hamilton goalkeeper Michael McGovern.

Chances were rare, and Hearts' best moment quickly descended into their worst. Billy King was still wondering how McGovern reached out an arm to push away his half-volley when Rossi launched a two-footed tackle on Darren Lyon that sparked a furious response from the Hamilton players.

Once the melee subsided, the referee Bobby Madden sent Rossi off and booked some of the agitators. The referee was shrewd and decisive throughout, and handled an occasionally feisty game with a sure sense of control.

Jesus Garcia Tena challenges Arnaud Djoum

Jesus Garcia Tena was red-carded for a dangerous lunge on Arnaud Djoum

Hearts regrouped during the interval, while Hamilton tried to shift their mindset from containment to creativity. They were helped in that regard by the range of passing and imagination of Ali Crawford, who grew in influence.

Their best opportunity came when Tena's shot was blocked by Paterson, then Devlin's header was saved by the Hearts goalkeeper Neil Alexander.

Hearts were initially cautious, hoping to hit on the break, but even before Hamilton were reduced to 10 men the visitors had grown in stature. From Alim Ozturk's cross, Blazej Augustyn hit the crossbar with a firm header.

Although the niggly nature of the game had dissipated, a flashpoint was still possible. It came when Tena heavily fouled the impressive Arnaud Djoum, leading to a straight red card. As Hamilton tried to adapt, Jordan McGhee's header across goal was met by Dario Zanatta, but his header hit the bar.

For all their industry, Hamilton still needed a moment of resolve from McGovern, when the goalkeeper had to keep the final touch of the game - a Juanma stubbed shot - out at close-range.

Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (6)

Hamilton Academical

01 McGovern
02 Gordon
04 Devlin Booked
44 De Lima Tagliapietra (Tena - 45' Dismissed )
03 Kurakins
22 Lyon (Brophy - 76' )
18 MacKinnon Booked (Docherty - 45' )
07 Imrie
11 Crawford
12 Kurtaj
09 D'Acol

Substitutes

14 Morris
20 Brophy
21 Docherty
24 Tena
26 Martin
27 Nade
28 Mandiangu

Heart of Midlothian

01 Alexander
02 Paterson
05 Ozturk Booked
04 Augustyn
18 Rossi Dismissed
12 King (Zanatta - 45' )
14 Pallardo Gonzalez
16 Sutchuin-Djoum
08 Buaben Abankwah Booked
10 Sow (Delgado Lloria - 71' )
20 Reilly (McGhee - 41' )

Substitutes

13 Hamilton
17 Oshaniwa
19 Delgado Lloria
22 McGhee
23 Swanson
26 Beith
44 Zanatta

Ref: Bobby Madden

Att: 2,684

Match Stats

Possession 53 47

Shots

8 10

On target

3 2

Corners

6 4

Fouls

12 15

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Hamilton Academical 0, Heart of Midlothian 0.

90:00 +2:04 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Hamilton Academical 0, Heart of Midlothian 0.

90:00 +1:09

Foul by Alejandro D'Acol (Hamilton Academical).

90:00 +1:09

Miguel Pallardó (Heart of Midlothian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

89:53

Attempt missed. Dario Zanatta (Heart of Midlothian) header from the centre of the box misses to the right.

87:57

Corner, Heart of Midlothian. Conceded by Antons Kurakins.

87:11

Dario Zanatta (Heart of Midlothian) hits the bar with a header from very close range.

86:20 Dismissal

Dismissal Jesus Garcia Tena (Hamilton Academical) is shown the red card.