Scottish Premiership play-off: Dundee United 0-0 Hamilton

Hamilton hold the upper hand at the half-way stage of their Scottish Premiership play-off tie with Dundee United, after drawing the first leg at Tannadice 0-0.

Although the Accies were the better side for the first 45 minutes, the second half belonged to the Terrors who ended the match with 10 men.

Rakish Bingham missed a great early chance for the visitors, while Thomas Mikkelson went close after the break for United.

On a sunny evening in Tayside, Danny Redmond had a great opportunity to open the scoring in the eighth minute but just failed to connect with Bingham's low cross.

And three minutes later Hamilton were offered an even better chance when Bingham was one-on-one with Cammy Bell, but his weak shot was blocked by the goalkeeper's legs.

As the visitors remained the dominant team, Ali Crawford's 37th-minute free-kick failed to threaten United's goal.

United started the second half the stronger but almost fell behind in the 52nd minute when David Templeton's deflected shot scuttled inches beyond the far post.

From then on it was mainly United, who threatened to break the deadlock on 57 as a looping header by Mikkelson was superbly tipped to safety by Hamilton keeper Remi Matthews.

It was then the turn of United's Mark Durnan to flash an effort over the bar from 10 yards.

But 12 minutes from time the hosts were reduced to 10 men as Simon Murray was shown a second yellow card, when referee Steven McLean decided the forward had dived under a challenge from Scott McMann.

However, TV replays appeared to show Murray had been fouled, and therefore United should have been awarded a penalty.

The teams meet again on Sunday when United travel to New Douglas Park unbeaten in their last 11 fixtures, while Hamilton will be desperate to retain their top-tier status.