Hearts 2 - 0 Hamilton

Hearts consolidated third place in the Scottish Premier League with a comfortable win against Hamilton.

Rudi Skacel gave Hearts a 32nd-minute lead, dipping a volley towards the Accies goal from 18 yards out.

David Templeton doubled the lead seven minutes after the interval, firing from distance into the top corner.

Simon Mensing missed an 80th-minute penalty for Hamilton to sum up the Lanarkshire side's miserable afternoon in the capital.

It was Hearts' fourth straight league victory, and Hamilton's fourth straight defeat, rooting Billy Reid's side to the foot of the league table with only nine points from 14 matches.

Jim Jefferies named an unchanged Hearts side, while Hamilton made three changes from the team that slumped 3-1 at home to Inverness last Saturday, with defenders Gavin Skelton and Martin Canning earning starting places along with midfielder Gary McDonald.

The hosts started well but it was Hamilton who earned a third-minute corner, delivered from the right by Dougie Imrie, which Marian Kello had to tip away.

Templeton had some promising early runs including one in which he weaved his way to the edge of the box, only to be halted by Mensing.

The Hamilton captain then brought down Stephen Elliott just outside the area on 10 minutes.

Skacel curled the free kick from just outside the area round the wall but although the ball looked set to sneak in at the right-hand post, it was deflected round.

The Czech midfielder produced a moment of magic for Hearts shortly after the half hour mark, smashed a dipping volley home from 18 yards, leaving Tomas Cerny standing.

With half-time approaching, Ismael Bouzid fluffed a header with Accies keeper Cerny flapping and passed up an opportunity to give Hearts a comfortable lead at the interval.

Immediately after the break, Templeton doubled the lead, firing the ball from distance into the top corner of the Accies net.

Cerny was under pressure again moments later when Ruben Palazuelos shot for goal, but the Czech keeper made the save.

As the hour mark passed, Hamilton midfielder Gavin Skelton fired in, but Marian Kello parried, then Damian Casalinuovo looked set to score after breaking free with the ball, but the Hearts keeper was up to the task.

The introduction of the Paixao twins from the bench failed to ignite the Hamilton challenge, although a penalty was awarded when Palazuelos felled Flavio.

Mensing blasted in the resulting spot-kick, but Kello guessed correctly to make the save.

Ryan Stevenson watched a late effort sail harmlessly over the Accies bar and Calum Elliot came close in the final minute, but the third goal wasn't required as Hearts easily claimed all three points.

Taken from the BBC