In an exciting game for the neutral and a nervy one for the small Stranraer support it was the Blues who took the points at New Douglas Park on Tuesday night.

It was Hamilton who had the first effort on goal with a ferocious free-kick going just over Hillcoat's bar after 5 minutes. Stranraer replied with a Michael Moore header going wide but it was Hamilton who opened the scoring after 10 mins.

Stuart Callaghan collected the ball out wide and turned the Blues defender easily and his deep cross was tailor made for the tall Ally Graham. His header was expertly guided into the far corner of the net past the helpless John Hillcoat in the Stranraer goal.

This seemed to spark Stranraer into life. The Blues had strong claims for a penalty when there appeared to be handball in the box but shortly later the Blues equalised. Sandy Hodge took a corner and the ball got flicked on to the unmarked Ian Harty at the back post. The goalie came out to meet him but he cleverly chipped the ball over him across the face of the goal giving Michael Moore an easy header to bring Stranraer level.

The visiting fans numbering around 30 at the most didn't have to wait much longer for the second goal. Hamilton midfielder Jim Sherry was well tackled by Allan Jenkins in the midfield. Jenkins ran a few yards and played a square ball to Stevie Aitken who then played a good ball out Michael Moore, Moore then played a first time through ball to Sandy Hodge and big Hodge's low cross was well controlled by Ian Harty. Harty turned his marker easily and produced a great finish on the turn from 10 yards rifling the ball into top left hand corner of the net. What a Goal!!!

Kevin Finlayson was getting a lot of space on the right wing and from one of his surges he had a shot which flew just high and wide. Michael Moore had a goal disallowed for offside just before half-time. The Blues nearly gave away their lead right on half-time when a brilliant overhead kick by Gareth Armstong went just wide with Hillcoat a spectator.

Stranraer brought on Andy Kane for the injured Stephen Marshall at half-time and Hamilton surprisingly took off big Ally Graham to be replaced by the manager Chris Hillcoat just into the second half. Brian McPhee who was fairly quite in the first half was moved up front and this gave Hamilton some impetus and better movement.

On the break Ian Harty's good effort from a tight angle was well saved by Potter low to his right. Hamilton continued to press and a long range effort was touched over by Hillcoat. Stranraer were now playing on the counter attack and Moore saw his 18 yard shot just go past the post. Billy McLaren then took off top scorer Ian Harty much to the striker's dismay and shortly afterwards Michael Moore. Alex Lurinsky came on for Harty and almost scored with a header that crept just wide.

Then Stranraer had their best chance to kill the game. Kane turned his man and with only the goalie to beat he took a bad touch. This gave Potter a chance to block and the rebound fell to substitute Harry Curran who's shot from 10 yards went straight at Chris Hillcoat on the line. The Hamilton manager headed the ball clear… a terrible miss from the veteran.

The miss could have and probably should have proved costly for the Blues as Hamilton continued to pepper the Blues goal but their finishing was as awful as Stranraer's.

STRANRAER MOM- Ian Harty and Michael Moore. Constant threats to the accies goal.

OVERALL SUMMARY- Hard fought victory but an important win that lifts us to fourth in the league and also gives us some much needed confidence for Saturdays Cup-tie against Motherwell.

Attendance: 743