Hamilton Academicals 1, Dunfermline Athletic 0.

DUNFERMLINE continue their quest for a Championship point after a narrow defeat in Lanarkshire.

The Pars were unable to find the net and a first half goal from a set piece was enough to give Hamilton Academicals the victory at New Douglas Park.

Late pressure from James McPake's side failed to find a breakthrough and it is now three defeats in three games for Athletic.

The first half started brightly for the Pars and they looked the stronger team in the early stages.

However, as the home side settled into the game, they began to test Dunfermline and Mehmet had to pull off a cracking save just before the 20 minute mark.

Hendrie fired the ball into the box and Kevin O’Hara looked like he had broken the deadlock but the Athletic stopper palmed the ball onto the bar before the visitors were able to clear.

It was just seven minutes later when the Pars were behind. A Hamilton corner was floated into the box and Reghan Tumilty rose unchallenged to head the ball into the net.

Dunfermline struggled to react however provided bursts of pressure. Shortly before half time, Kane laid the ball off for Ritchie-Hosler on the edge of the box but his effort went over.

Minutes later, Accies had a similar opportunity when the ball came to Scott Martin but his shot was also over.

Dunfermline came out looking more determined in the second half and gave some hope for the travelling Pars fans.

Substitute Josh Cooper came on for his debut in the second half and caused problems for the home side.

He hit the side netting in the 66th minute after firing in a strike and minutes later let fly with another effort which went wide.

Lewis McCann fired in a cross-come-shot with 15 minutes to go which saw the ball skim past the crossbar.

On 82 minutes, there was another chance for Dunfermline after an exchange between Cooper and Craig Wighton ended with the ball coming to Ewan Otoo who shot wide.

Dunfermline piled on the pressure in the closing minutes however were unable to find an equaliser and remain pointless at the bottom of the table.

Hamilton Accies

Albinson, McGinty, Martin (Henderson 72), O’Hara, Barjonas (Murray 93), Maguire, Macdonald, Shaw (Todorov 83), Williamson, Tumilty, Hendrie.

Subs: Lyness, Lane, Longridge, Kilday, Newbury, Morgan.

Goals: Tumilty (25)

Booked: O’Hara, Martin

Dunfermline Athletic

Mehmet, Comrie, Ngwenya (Cooper 60), Benedictus, (Chalmers 62) Hamilton, Otoo, Ritchie-Hosler (Sutherland 70), McCann, Fisher (Young 25), Wotherspoon, Kane (Wighton 70).

Subs: Oluwayemi, Breen, O’Halloran, Tod.

Booked: Fisher, Ritchie-Hosler

Attendance: 1,422