Scottish Premiership: Hamilton claim comfortable win over St Mirren

Hamilton kept the pressure on the Scottish Premiership pacesetters with a 3-0 win over struggling St Mirren.

Alex Neil's men suffered a recent stutter, going three games without a win, but second-half goals from Mickael Antoine-Curier and Ali Crawford sealed victory over St Mirren, who stayed in the relegation mire.

Crawford twice went close for the hosts in the early stages, warming the palms of Marc Ridgers with a fierce shot before sending another effort narrowly wide of the target.

Saints endured another scare when Dougie Imrie just failed to direct the ball past Ridgers, but at the other end, Sean Kelly nearly snatched an opener with a shot that tested Michael McGovern.

Hamilton soon regained command and took the lead when Anthony Andreu (40) seized a loose ball outside the box and sent a low drive into the bottom corner.  

Just minutes after the break, Andreu nearly added his second, nodding the ball over the bar, while Antoine-Curier tried his luck with a shot that was tipped over by Ridgers.

But the Hamilton hitman (67) refused to be denied and he blasted in from close range after being picked out by Andreu in the box.   

Saints were struggling to hold off the home side and they conceded again as Antoine-Curier’s inviting cross found Crawford (74), who slotted the ball past Ridgers. 

In the closing stages, St Mirren twice struck the woodwork, with Kenny McLean hitting the post before Jason Naismith's shot was pushed onto the bar, but Hamilton were comfortable winners at New Douglas Park.