Hamilton picked up three vital promotional points with a hard-fought victory over bottom side Brechin.
The vital goal came after only five minutes when Paul Mc Mullan broke on the left and crossed for Alex Neil to volley home.
Hamilton continued to attack, and after 17 minutes Pat Keogh had a shot saved by Craig Nelson. After 22 minutes Hamilton's Mark McLaughlin sent in a cross which was headed wide by Paul McLeod.
Brechin settled down, and after 32 minutes Ally Mitchell slipped the ball through to Paul Ritchie, and his shot was saved.
After 37 minutes Kevin Byers drove wide from the edge of the box. Brechin was out of luck again in the 38th minute when a Grant Johnson drive forced a great save.
Seven minutes into the second half Stuart Callaghan put Gerry Britton through and again he was denied. In the 63rd minute a McLeod header forced a great save from Brechin keeper Nelson.
The game boiled over after 73 miutes when McMullian collected a second booking for a foul on Charlie King and was sent off.
Five minutes from time Brechin pressed for a equaliser, and Scott Walker headed just wide from a Callaghan free-kick. Brechin were also reduced to 10 men a minute from time when Garry Bollan was sent off for a remark to a linesman.