Hamilton Accies picked up their first win in the Scottish Championship with a narrow but deserved win over 10-man Arbroath.
Both sides went into the clash at New Douglas Park looking to claim a maiden victory in the campaign and it was the hosts who found it when Steve Lawson's 58th minute penalty sealed all three points.
Lawson's first goal for the club arrived after Lichties skipper Thomas O'Brien saw red for a handball in the box that prevented Dario Zanatta's strike from finding the net.
And it leaves Arbroath, who were leading the Championship for much of last season, rooted to the bottom of the table with two points from five games.
Accies are now up to seventh after a run of just one defeat in five.
John Rankin made just one change from Accies 2-0 defeat to Raith Rovers last week, as new signing Zanatta went straight into the line-up at the expense of Reegan Mimnaugh.
Dick Campbell also handed a new signing his first start with Scott Allan getting the nod in central midfield for Lichties.
The hosts were given an early scare when Mason Hancock's cross was headed back towards his own goal by Dan O'Reilly in the third minute and, thankfully for the Accies man, Kieran Shanks' flick inside the six-yard box drifted over the crossbar.
Ten minutes in, Accies came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Lewis Smith showed great control to pluck Ryan Fulton's punt out of the air, then managed to weave himself away from the attention of three Arbroath defenders. As he burst into the box, he arrowed a low strike towards the far corner and it flashed millimetres wide of the target.
Moments later another chance went abegging when Smith's lofted cross picked out out Jean-Pierre Tiehi in the box. The Frenchman showed great composure to take the ball on his chest and then swivel for the volley, which thundered narrowly wide with Lichties keeper Derek Gaston rooted to the spot.
Smith threatened again with a thumping half volley in 24 minutes but Gaston got behind it well to keep the hosts at bay.
After the lively start, the half petered out and both sides went in level at the break, with Arbroath failing to muster an effort on target.
Some of Accies' play early on was a joy to watch as the interplay between Steve Lawson, Smith and Andy Winter cut through the Lichties defence.
But lacking that killer instinct has been a hallmark of Hamilton's play so far in the Championship this season and, with talisman Andy Ryan ruled out through injury until at least October, someone needs to step up to the mark.
That man looked like being Tiehi after a bright start, but the Frenchman suffered a blow when he had to go off at half-time having failed to shake off a knock to his lower back towards the end of the first period.
Ryan One was introduced as Tiehi's replacement and he made a real impact with his first run at the Arbroath defence after 56 minutes, which led to the penalty for Accies.
One picked the ball up wide left, beat two defenders and burst into the box to tee-up Zanatta for a strike at goal. The Canadian looked like he was about to burst the net, but O'Brien got his hand in the way of the effort and referee David Munro awarded the hosts a spot-kick, before giving the Lichties skipper his marching orders.
Lawson stepped up and rifled the penalty into the net with aplomb, finding the top corner to give Gaston no chance.
It was no less than Accies deserved on the balance of play but things threatened to boil over when Ricky Little and Andy Winter clashed in the middle of the park. In the fracas, Little then shoved Lawson in his throat but after it all calmed down, referee Munro opted to book both Little and Winter.
Dick Campbell's men were right up against and Accies were looking for a foul and a potential red card in 70 minutes when One looked to race on to a long ball at the edge of the box. In what would have been a clear goalscoring opportunity, a blatant shove in the back from Jason Thomson on One went unpunished.
One was having a great game since his introduction and a blistering solo run that took him past four defenders 16 minutes from time almost delivered a second goal, but his touch escaped him at the crucial moment, overhitting the ball as he honed in on goal and allowing Gaston to gather.
The striker went close yet again when a great break from Accies sent Winter on his way down the left. His cutback found One, but he sidefooted his effort inches wide of the far post.
Accies were looking to make sure of the points and a diving header from Jonny Ngandu in the 79th minute forced Gaston into a good stop, moments after the Englishman had come on to replace Zanatta.
Three minutes from time, Arbroath almost nicked a point when Daniel Fosu teed-up James Craigen 12-yards out, but a fantastic block from Accies skipper Brian Easton denied them.
In the 90th minute One burst forward looking to grab a goal and a second for Accies, but he drove the ball straight at Gaston.
And Lawson almost grabbed his second when a thumping effort whistled past the post in stoppage time.
Accies now face a trip north to face Championship new boys Cove Rangers next Saturday.
HAMILTON: Fulton, Shiels, Easton, O'Reilly, Doyle, Martin, Lawson, Smith (McGinn 88), Tiehi (One 46), Zanatta (Ngandu 77), Winter.
Scorers: Lawson 58 (pen)
Bookings: Winter, Martin
Subs not used: Smith, Mimnaugh, Brown, Owens, Newbury.
ARBROATH: Gaston, Hamilton (Fosu 38), O'Brien, Thomson, Little, Hancock, Stewart (Linn 71), Jacobs, Allan (Craigen 77), McKenna, Shanks (Hilson 71).
Scorers:
Bookings: Allan, Little
Sent Off: O'Brien
Subs not used: Gill, Patterson, Donnelly, Corfe.
HT: 0-0
Ref: Calum Scott
Att:
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