Aberdeen 3-0 Hamilton: Dons close gap on Celtic with easy win

Aberdeen are back to within four points of Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership after a straightforward 3-0 win over Hamilton.

First-half goals from Simon Church, Niall McGinn and Kenny McLean saw them ease to their sixth successive home win against Accies.

Having played a game more than the leaders, Aberdeen remain outsiders for the title given they have just six matches left.

They are at least edging closer to a guaranteed second-place finish, however, and will secure that with a return of at least 10 points from the final 18 which are available to them.

Aberdeen were looking for a positive response after their 2-1 defeat to an illness-affected Motherwell side two weeks ago.

They made a good start, albeit they were helped considerably at times by an Accies team which lined up in a 3-5-2 formation which simply did not work.

It took the home side just five minutes to go in front as Church rose highest to head in a Jonny Hayes cross to get his fifth goal for the club since moving on loan from MK Dons.

Hayes then showed good determination to set up Ryan Jack and although his shot was blocked it was not long before Aberdeen had a second.

McGinn scored it as he took advantage of hesitant defending from Ziggy Gordon to nip in between him and goalkeeper Michael McGovern and make it 2-0 with just quarter of an hour gone.

Northern Ireland international McGinn and Church had further chances as Derek McInnes' men dominated and McLean soon added a third.

Graeme Shinnie's powerful run down the left took him into the area and he cut back for the former St Mirren player to finish well on the turn.

With the hard work seemingly done, it was no surprise to see Aberdeen's tempo drop a little after the restart.

They still had the better chances, albeit Hamilton could have pulled one back and were denied when Scott Brown pulled off an excellent one-handed save to keep out Oumar Diaby.

McGinn and Church both failed to get their second of the game and Willo Flood was flagged offside with the goal gaping when he tried to connect with Mark Reynolds' header.

There was never any threat of them relinquishing their lead though and while they will rely on favours from others to enhance their title prospects, the Pittodrie side remain within sight.