BY: COLETTE CARR

A freak Forfar own goal was enough to gift Hamilton their first win of the campaign after it was all that seperated the two.

Jade McLaren's passback trickled slowly over the line after Fiona McNicoll failed to control it, and despite a series of missed chances, Accies held their nerve to take home all three points.

Accies manager Gary Doctor said despite it being a strange own goal, Hamilton had their part to play in it.

"The own goal was obviously a bit bizarre and the goalkeeper had had a mixup, but it came from part of our tactical plan that was to have our wide players come in and press the centrebacks and force it back in, we obviously didn't expect it to go in the net through confusion, but it came from us being a little more aggressive today and not being as passive.

"It was strange but we'll take it."

Doctor went on to discuss how the win was a bit lucky but will help push them on to other wins.

"To be fair, we've had a bit of luck today, keeping a clean sheet has been good and our goalie had a few good saves as did theirs, so it was a pretty even game, but in the second half with the wind at our back, we controlled it territory wise and performance wise I'm really pleased because we asked one or two to play out of position.

"I'm just pleased for the players, because they have worked so hard and they deserve a wee reward.

"It gives us a boost."

On the 22nd, Gillian Inglis nearly opened the scoring after great service from Laura Gallen allowed her to drive into the box, but a last ditch tackle from Kayleigh Brough kept the game level.

Five minutes later Inglis was through again but McNicoll had her and Lori Gardner's attack covered.

After Deborah McLeod fired right into McNicoll's gloves, Gardner found herself with a few chances ahead of the break, being caught just off in Hamilton's best attack and curving her shot just wide after a blistering run into the area.

The deadlock was broken on the 51st in sore fashion for the hosts, after McNicoll failed to deal with McLaren's passback putting Accies one up.

Elaine Fleming proved vital in between the sticks for the visitors, denying Gallacher after a quick Forfar break, but was lucky with fifteen to go, after being drawn off her line only to see the shot go wide.

With a minute of normal time left Accies should have doubled their lead, as Inglis' shot beyond the keeper was just too soft before Gardner couldn't get her shot away, somehow seeing it still one nil.

But even with one last effort from Ainsley Murphy that was palmed away from distance, Accies held on to pick up their first win ahead of hosting Inverness next week.