Hamilton Accies were held to a draw by 10-man Arbroath in a result that doesn't really help either side at the foot of the Championship.
The result leaves Hamilton a point ahead of their visitors, who will see it as one gained after having Ricky Little sent off 19 minutes in for a foul on Jean Pierre-Tiehi.
That was pretty much the major talking point from a first half without many chances, though Arbroath's Derek Gaston made a big save from Connor Smith.
A home win would have seen Accies climb above Cove Rangers into eighth place, while Arbroath went above their hosts with three point gained.
Smith sent a free kick inches wide following Little's dismissal, and Gaston made a big save near the end of the half from the on-loan Hearts star.
The second half was more of the same, to be honest, but Arbroath had an effort cleared off the line and Gaston again saved from Smith and Reghan Tumilty.
Accies boss John Rankin made two changes to the side that lost 4-1 against Queen's Park last weekend. Captain Dylan McGowan didn't make the squad, while Steve Lawson dropped down to the bench, with Tom Sparrow and Dylan Stephenson coming in.
Arbroath gaffer Dick Campbell, who declared this as a '12-pointer' before the game, kept faith with the side that drew against Partick Thistle last time out.
Arbroath started well, but it was Hamilton who registered the first chance in 11 minutes when Reghan Tumilty fired just over from the right corner of the box, following a neat passing move.
Arbroath tried their luck from an unorthodox angle when Colin Hamilton picked out Lewis Banks from a throw-in from the right in 18 minutes but his shot was saved at the near post.
The visitors were reduced to 10 men moments later when Ricky Little hauled down Jean-Pierre Tiehi as he raced through on goal and was shown a straight red card.
Connor Smith's free kick landed just past the left post.
Michael McKenna's free kick from 25 yards for Arbroath was comfortably taken by Ryan Fulton.
Dylan Stephenson tried his luck with a low shot on the half-hour, but it was an easy take for Arbroath keeper Derek Gaston..
There was a lengthy delay following a clash of heads between Hamilton's Tiehi and Arbroath's Ryan Dow, with the on-loan Fulham striker worst off, but he was able to continue.
Smith was sent through on goal in 42 minutes but Gaston stood up big to block.
Arbroath had an effort cleared off the line when a corner from the left caused havoc in the Accies box.
Connor Smith fired high and wide in 50 minutes as Accies tried to make their advantage count.
Dan O'Reilly had a header punched away from a Smith corner from the left in 54 minutes.
Tumilty passed up the best chance of the second half so far in 67 minutes when he found himself in space in the box, but shot straight at Gaston.
Arbroath were given a real let-off in 70 minutes when sub Seun Paul Komolafe appeared to swing a punch at Accies keeper Ryan Fulton but was only spoken to by referee Craig Napier.
Moments later Arbroath's Yasin Ben El-Mhanni beat De Bolle down the left and checked inside, but fired well over the top right corner.
De Bolle was maybe given a let-off when he was only booked for a crunching tackle on Dow in 76 minutes.
HAMILTON: Fulton, Tumilty, Owens, O'Reilly, Shiels, Martin, Stephenson (One, 46), Sparrow (Zanatta, 46), De Bolle (Redfern, 79), C. Smith, Tiehi.
Subs (not used): J. Smith (GK), Easton, Mimnaugh, Winter, Lawson, McGinn.
Booked: Sparrow (43), Martin (74), De Bolle (76)
ARBROATH: Gaston, Banks, O'Brien, Little, Hamilton, Balde, McKenna, Hetherington, Dow (Stewart, 89), Olusanya (Komolafe, 58), Ben El-Mhanni (Linn, 71).
Subs (not used): Gill (GK), Hilson, Tait, Allan, Adarkwa.
Sent off: Little (19).
Booked: Hetherington (50), Komolafe (73)
Referee: Craig Napier.
Attendance: 1832.
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