Hamilton Academical vs Dundee United. Scottish Premiership.
The HopeCBD Stadium.
Report and highlights as recalled Hamilton goalkeeper Ryan Fulton saves from Ian Harkes in Dundee United's best chance; Callum Smith fires over glorious chance for hosts who move off bottom with draw, but have played two games more than basement side Motherwell
Saturday 16 January 2021 20:35, UK
The recalled Ryan Fulton earned Hamilton a point against Dundee United with a brilliant first-half save from Ian Harkes in a goalless draw in Lanarkshire.
Fulton was back on the bench last weekend after injury and vindicated Brian Rice's decision to play him ahead of Kyle Gourlay when he made a point-blank stop from Harkes' header.
Accies moved above Motherwell but stayed second-bottom in the Scottish Premiership following their fifth clean sheet in nine matches.
It was a sixth goalless draw of the campaign for Micky Mellon's United side, who stay sixth in the table.
Hamilton had Fulton, Brian Easton and Aaron Martin back in their team following recent lay-offs while United were unchanged following Tuesday's draw with St Johnstone.
Chances were at a premium in a competitive first half but each team had one golden opportunity.
United's came when a Dillon Powers cross found Harkes unmarked six yards out but the American midfielder's header was diverted over the bar by a diving Fulton.
Ross Callachan set up Callum Smith at the other end with a through ball which put the striker beyond his marker on the edge of the box. Smith took a touch but then fired over.
Benjamin Siegrist made an unconvincing stop from Callachan's ambitious free-kick in first-half stoppage-time before making a better save from Lee Hodson just after the restart.
The flurry of action continued. Harkes appealed in vain to referee Greg Aitken for a penalty after Jamie Hamilton's challenge before Fulton got down well to save from Nicky Clark.
David Moyo shot well over from eight yards after chesting the ball down at the other end.
United striker Lawrence Shankland came close to adding to his spectacular midweek goal when he shot just wide with a 25-yard drive.
United stepped up the pressure as the match progressed but Hakeem Odoffin put in a couple of excellent penalty-box blocks as Accies stood firm.
Hamilton head coach Brian Rice: "It is a point gained and another clean sheet. The goalkeeper has made a fantastic save and that's why I put him back in, because he is my number one.
"And Kyle (Gourlay) has done fantastic when he came in, but he knows Ryan is my number one. But Ryan knows he has got competition now.
"I thought Jamie Hamilton was absolutely outstanding as well. For an 18-year-old to play like that in the Premiership was outstanding.
"The kids did all right last week but you see the difference with the experience of Brian Easton and Aaron Martin coming back in and helping them."
United manager Micky Mellon: "I really dislike when managers go on about should have, could have and never, but we certainly had opportunities that could have given us a positive result.
"In terms of build-up play and the team that was looking most likely to get a result, it was clear to me that it was us. We played some fantastic football at times.
"We maybe just need to get on the end of some of those moves and be a bit more clinical."
