JOHN Rankin told of his disappointment after Hamilton Accies’ unbeaten run was unceremoniously halted in its tracks by Queen’s Park.
The league leaders proved too good for the relegation strugglers as they cantered to a 4-1 win in Lanarkshire. Goals from Jack Thomson, Aaron Healy and a Connor Shields brace were enough on the day for the Spiders, even if Dario Zanatta managed a late consolation.
The loss was Hamilton’s first defeat in five games - which included beating Inverness twice in a week - and the Accies boss felt his team’s recent schedule finally caught up with them.
“I’m more disappointed with the overall performance than the result,” he said. “We lacked energy and enthusiasm at times. We looked leggy.
“It was a hard week with the game on Tuesday but I thought we would have more in the tank than that today.
“We didn’t look as if we had any attacking belief or willingness to get forward in the first half. I felt the spirit that has been there for the last seven or eight weeks was lacking when we went a goal down.”
Accies remain a single point ahead of bottom side Arbroath, with the two facing off on Friday night under the lights.
Rankin does face a nervous wait, however, on the condition of his skipper, Dylan McGowan, who was forced off with a first-half injury, with Queen’s Park assuming control of the match soon after.
“That’s one good run ended, now we have to go on another one,” said Rankin. “We have another huge game next week and we have to try and get maximum points.
“I’m 100 per cent sure that spirit will be ready to go again.
“He [McGowan] has been a leader for the last seven or eight games, and he has led others round about him. I felt we were quiet when he came off the pitch.”
