91Èȱ¬

Striker Craig Curran scored twice as Ross County recovered from the concession of an early penalty to secured victory at home to Hamilton.

County goalkeeper Scott Fox fouled Christian Nade but atoned for his error by saving Ali Crawford's spot kick.

Curran made the visitors pay as he lashed the ball home from five yards before doubling County's lead with a cool finish from Marcus Fraser's pass.

Midfielder Darian Mackinnon threatened for the visitors but failed to score.

Having suffered defeat at Celtic last weekend, County were determined to get points on the board but it was Hamilton started brightest.

The won an spot kick inside four minutes but Fox produced a superb diving save to his left, with Crawford choosing placement rather than power.

The penalty jolted County into action and Curran broke free on the left to earn a corner. Michael McGovern flapped at the set piece, Hamilton failed to clear and Curran pounced to hook home from close range.

County grew in confidence after breaking the deadlock while Hamilton enjoyed fewer forays forward.

Scott Boyd sent a lovely ball over the top that Lucas Tagliapietra misjudged but a stumble cost Curran the opportunity to sprint clear on goal.

Nade was perhaps fortunate to escape punishment when a stray elbow caught Fraser's chest after the striker went down easily looking for a free kick. Referee Andrew Dallas deemed a word of warning sufficient punishment.

The scale of threat in the final third perhaps separates these sides. Ross County had Curran and Liam Boyce as a focal point with Michael Gardyne, Rafa De Vita and Jackson Irvine breaking causing a threat.

Nade used his strength to hold the ball up but, as the game wore on, he looked increasingly isolated as Hamilton struggled to pressure the hosts.

Just before the break Jim McIntyre's side doubled their lead as Hamilton were punished for poor defending.

Play switched from left to right and ended with Fraser executing a neat one-two, breaking past a defender and cutting the ball back for Curran to tap home.

The tempo dropped significantly after the break with the home side happy to try to pick off Hamilton.

They came close when Gardyne delivered a wonderful ball that Irvine volleyed narrowly wide.

Mackinnon came close to pulling one back with a 20-yard daisy-cutter that flashed past Fox's right-hand post.

Hamilton enjoyed more possession but failed to create clear-cut opportunities and were restricted to long-range efforts.