Bhoys brush aside Hamilton

Maloney: Broke deadlock

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Celtic have returned to the top of the SPL table courtesy of a 2-1 success over Hamilton at New Douglas Park.

First half goals from Shaun Maloney and Scott McDonald put the visitors in firm control of the game at half-time.

Maloney's back post volley broke the deadlock before McDonald slotted home from close range to double the visitors' advantage.

Celtic were coasting to victory, but Mickael Antoine-Curier's 83rd minute strike gave the home side hope of snatching a point.

Only a fine save by Lukasz Zaluska from James McArthur's denied Hamilton a draw as Tony Mowbray's side ended their winless run.

The game got off to a disjointed start, with the visitors looking anything but ready to end their four-game winless run.

Architects

However, Hamilton were architects of their own downfall in the 15th minute when the visitors took the lead through Maloney.

Midfielder Marco Paixao carelessly lost possession to Andreas Hinkel deep in his own half and when the German's cross came over to the back post, Maloney volleyed across Accies goalkeeper Tomas Cerny and into the corner of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

In the 29th minute the visitors all-but sealed the points when McDonald doubled their lead.

Aiden McGeady and Georgios Samaras combined at pace down the right and when the ball broke to the Australia international eight yards out, he slammed it past Cerny with the aid of a deflection.

Accies looked doomed but nine minutes from the break, with Celtic skipper Stephen McManus off getting stitches in a head knock, Zaluska was called into action almost for the first time.

Paixao's driven free-kick made its way through a packed penalty area and after the Polish goalkeeper parried, it was a relieved Celtic side who eventually got the ball clear.

Too much

Paixao then lost possession again which was too much for boss Billy Reid to take, and he was replaced by Jordan Kirkpatrick.

McManus returned to the action at the start of the second half with a plaster over his left eye.

The game was turning into something of a training exercise for Celtic and they almost made it 3-0 in the 57th minute when, following another spell of pressure, McGeady fired in a drive which Cerny did well to save down at his left-hand post.

Maloney then curled a free-kick from 25 yards just wide of the target before he set up Samaras, who drove over from 16 yards in his attempt to burst the net.

In the 73rd minute Accies midfielder McArthur had a half-hearted effort from 25 yards but failed to trouble Zaluska.

Niall McGinn and Marc Crosas then replaced Maloney and McDonald but in the 83rd minute the home side gave themselves a lifeline when striker Antoine-Curier re-directed a McArthur drive past Zaluska from close range.

With two minutes remaining, as Celtic wobbled for the first time in the game, Zaluska saved the day and it was a relieved travelling support who welcomed the final whistle.