Dunfermline 1-1 Hamilton: Hamilton dig deep to claw back a point

HAMILTON Academical striker Richard Offiong scored his 19th goal of the season to rescue a point for the First Division league leaders at Dunfermline.

The Englishman is in danger of being dealt a lifetime ban from East End Park with six of those coming against the Pars. Accies, however, saw their lead at the summit cut to three by Dundee after dropping two precious points.

The hosts started the brighter of the two and broke the deadlock from the spot through Stephen Glass after goalkeeper Tomas Cerny felled Stephen Simmons.

The Pars were made to rue further chances they had to lengthen their advantage as Offiong illustrated his striking prowess with a clinical low drive minutes before the break.

After a uneventful start to the match that saw neither side create any chances, Dunfermline opening the scoring courtesy of Glass's penalty. Hamilton goalkeeper Cerny brought down Simmons after only managing to push Scott Thomson's header to the feet of the midfielder. Glass found the roof of the net from 12 yards despite Cerny getting a hand to the spot-kick.

The home side came within inches of adding a second through Stevie Crawford in the 22nd minute. Mark Burchill's shot was pushed into the path of the off-balance Crawford by Cerny but the striker hooked the ball over the bar with his outstretched leg.

After the shock of going behind, the league leaders set about trying to restore parity and that came five minutes before the break. Accies striker Offiong wriggled clear in the box before finding the corner of the net with a low drive.

A second half bereft of any credible chances was something of an anti-climax following a relatively entertaining first 45 minutes. Dunfermline did create an opening in the 68th minute when Nicky Phinn picked out Simmons in the six-yard box but the midfielder's touch let him down and the danger was cleared.

Dunfermline Athletic: Gallacher, Woods, Wilson, Simmons, Scott Thomson (Shields 46), Morrison, Phinn (Harper 75), Glass, Burchill, Crawford (McIntyre 82), Burke. Subs not used: Murdoch, Willis. Booked: Glass, Simmons, Morrison.

Hamilton Accies: Cerny, Mensing, Easton, McCarthy (Stevenson 75), Elebert, McLaughlin, Graham, McArthur, Offiong (Waterworth 80), Neil, Barrau (Gilhaney 35). Subs not used: Halliwell, Gibson.

Referee: C Murray.
Attendance: 2,444.