Kevin O'Hara was the hero for ten-man Hamilton as they battled to a vital win over Cove Rangers at New Douglas Park, who also had a man sent off.O'Hara opened the scoring for Accies in seven minutes and then set up a second for Jamie Barjonas in 71 minutes, despite new signing Ben Williamson being shown a straight red card 10 minutes into the second half for a crude challenge on Kyle Connell.Cove managed to go down to 10 themselves in 75 minutes when Michael Doyle picked up a second booking for hand ball.O'Hara got Accies on their way in seven minutes and it was deserved for Accies to take that into the interval, though they passed up a number of chances to add to that tally.Cove had a few early inroads and Rumarn Burrell's pace was causing some problems, but the closest the visitors went was just before the interval when Connor Scully's bouncing shot squirmed just past the left post.The second half looked like following a similar pattern until Hamilton's Williamson was sent off on his debut.But Barjonas struck to ensure that Hamilton kept their challenge up at the top of League One and Doyle received his marching orders shortly after that to level the sides.Hamilton needed to win against a side that, ironically, lost 4-0 at leaders Falkirk on Tuesday, stretching the Bairns' undefeated record to 25 games, and pulling them 11 points clear at the top, ahead of today's games.Accies boss John Rankin made two changes from their 5-2 win over Edinburgh City on December 30, with Williamson and Fergus Owens replacing Michael Hewitt and Cian Newbury, who has been loaned to Dumbarton.

Hearts loan signing Makenzie Kirk was on the bench.Cove manager Paul Hartley also made two changes to the side that lost 4-0 at Falkirk on Tuesday.

Hamilton 2, Cove Rangers 0: Accies bag vital win as both sides see red

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