Motherwell were left frustrated and pointless as Hakeem Oddofin’s 85th minute winner was enough to give Accies their first win of the season.
The hosts failed to turn their superiority into goals, controlling much of the match.
But despite David Turnbull’s promptings and 13 corners into the Hamilton box, Stephen Robinson’s men failed to take their chances and paid dearly as their derby rivals once again came up with the sucker punch at Fir Park.
The ‘Well boss stood by the same starting side which performed so well at Easter Road but left Edinburgh with only a point to show for their efforts.
That meant a home debut for local boy Stephen O’Donnell and on-loan forward Callum Lang.
Both teams set out still looking for their first win of the season and without the vocal encouragement of derby fans.
It was the visitors from across the Clyde who made the better start as the Accies players buzzed around Trevor Carson’s penalty area in the early stages.
And the ‘Well goal had a narrow escape after 12 minutes. Under pressure from Marios Ogkmpoe, Declan Gallagher had to lob the ball back towards his own ‘keeper.
That resulted in a headed joust between Carson and the Accies striker but as the ball bounced towards an open goal Gallagher retrieved the situation to boot the ball clear.
At the other end Ryan Fulton was forced into the first in a number of great takes inside his six yard box as Sherwin Seedorf delivered a tempting cross for Jordan White.
Allan Campbell then matched the pace of Justin Johnson into the ‘Well box before producing a wonderfully timed tackle to deny the Accies winger.
After 19 minutes, swift footwork from Seedorf carried him away from four Accies players but his breathtaking run ended with a low drive straight at Fulton.
The Fir Park men were much more controlled in their build up with everything going through the midfield and David Turnbull in particular, who continually tested the Accies defence with probing passes around the visitors’ box.
Fulton was proving to be the busier of the two ‘keepers and just before the half hour he got down well to palm a 25 yard drive from Turnbull round his right hand post.
Two minutes from the end of an entertaining first half Fulton threw himself towards his other post again denying Turnbull, who’s measured header looked destined for the corner of the net.
There were no changes in the ‘Well ranks at half-time as the pattern of the game was set to follow the first 45 minutes.
Only five minutes into the half had passed when Turnbull collected the ball 30 yards from goal before striking a stunning shot which Fulton matched rising to palm the ball over his bar.
The Accies goal was under pressure from succession of Turnbull corners with White meeting one of them only to head wide of target.
Jermaine Hylton replaced Lang a few minutes later as Robinson’s men attempted to get more crosses in behind the Hamilton defence.
On the hour mark ‘Well made their second substitute with Christopher Long replacing White who had bravely led the front line without really troubling the Accies central defenders.
The corners from Turnbull continued to fly into the Accies box but somehow the visitor’s goal survived.
With 25 minutes remaining the overworked Accies made a triple substation to try and relieve the constant play towards Fulton’s goal.
However, despite being under the cosh there was always the suspicion that Accies would steal the opening goal.
And it would have arrived after 72 minutes if Carson hadn’t extended his right leg to push the ball away inside a packed six yard box and deny the visitors.
That gave Hamilton heart and led to a lot more action around Carson’s goal.
With ten minutes remaining ‘Well made another double substation bring on Jake Hastie and Tony Watt but ‘Well had conceded some control and the enthusiasm to break down a well drilled Accies rearguard.
Instead it was Hamilton that looked the more likely to make the breakthough and eight minutes from time Hakeem Odoffin should have beaten Carson from four yards instead of scooping his effort wide of goal.
The ‘Well defence failed to respond to Odoffin’s threat and three minutes later the Accies defender dived inside the six yard box to head the ball low beyond Carson to take all three points and leave ‘Well empty handed for their efforts.
Motherwell: Carson, O’Donnell, Mugabi, Gallagher, Lamie, O’Hara, Campbell (Watt), Turnbull, Seedorf (Hastie), Lang (Hylton), White (Long).
Subs not used: Morrison, Robinson, Grimshaw, Maguire, Polworth.
