Hamilton hero Andy Ryan praised the fans for playing a vital role in helping 10-man Accies start the season with a battling draw in their controversial clash with Morton.
The striker broke the deadlock at New Douglas Park when he turned Brian Easton's header into the net from close range.
But a lot went against Accies on the day during a poor performance from ropey ref Mike Roncone, who wrongly awarded Morton a penalty towards the end of the first half which led to the sending off of defender Shaun Want for the challenge and boss John Rankin for dissent.
Grant Gillespie converted the spot-kick and, despite their numerical advantage, Accies were excellent in the second half and could have taken all three points.
The fans played a big factor in rallying their side for the second half and that backing wasn't lost on Ryan as the hosts started their Championship campaign with a hard-earned point.
He said: "I have been here at the club long time and I definitely felt it.
"They were right behind the boys. It just shows you the difference in the performance.
"If you have a bad performance or a bad result, you don't expect to be applauded.
"But in games like that, that's when the supporters really matter, getting right behind us.
"Personally I don't usually hear much from the stands, but I definitely heard them and it helped the boys on the pitch.
"It's not the way we pictured the first game of the season going, but to go that long with 10 men, you can see the effort and the workrate. Some of the boys were flat out on their feet at the end, but it's a point and it's better than a defeat to start the season.
"That's the mentality we have been trying to build since the gaffer came in.
"The team-talk at half-time wasn't to try and sit in and soak up pressure.
"It was asking can we get the winner?
"And I think that's the difference.
"You could see when we were on the break, we had chances and a few ricochets around the box. We were trying to get the win."
Ryan has started the season in good form and that is him on a run of three goals in four games, following their Premier Sports Cup campaign.
And his latest effort was striker's instinct as he nodded Easton's effort home from close range.
He added: "As a striker it's better to be lucky than good and I guessed where Easty was going to knock it down.
"That's what I'm in the team to do - score goals - and that's the kind of responsibility that I'm willing and wanting to take on my shoulders."
Asked about the referee's display on the day, Ryan said: "I would love to comment, but I can't."
Hamilton continue their Championship campaign on Saturday with a trip to Partick Thistle.
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