Hamilton boss Martin Canning hailed a strong defensive performance afer his players earned a deserved draw at in-form Kilmarnock.

Dougie Imrie’s early header was cancelled out by a Rory McKenzie strike but a strong effort from the Accies’ rearguard saw them earn a valuable point which edges them further away from the Ladbrokes Premiership drop zone.

Cannign explained: “It wasn’t just our defenders that performed well today. Our attackers did well too.

“When you come away to a team like Kilmarnock you’ve got to defend properly as a team and that’s something that we did well.

“I take my fair share of abuse at times but after every game we play there’s nothing that can be done. You’ve got to hit reset, refocus and go again because it’s got no impact on the next 90 minutes.”

The result could have been ever better for the Lanarkshire side too. James Keatings, who set up the opening goal with his impressive dead-ball delivery, also spurned a golden chance at the start of the second half when Imrie sent a tantalising ball across the face of goal.

“I didn’t see it properly,” said a bewildered Canning. “It hit the board and then the net and the net moved, so you just assume that it must have gone in.

“He was saying that the ball span off the ground and he didn’t catch it correctly.

“It’s good to get him fit and back in the team. His delivery from set-pieces is great and he’s got that quality that really adds to our game in an offensive sense.”

Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke was less than content with the outcome of the match but still highlighted his side’s recent form, insisting he “would have taken it” a few weeks ago.

He said: “When you don’t play well it’s important you don’t lose.

“We didn’t play well today and we didn’t lose. That’s a good mentality and it keeps the unbeaten run going.

“Hamilton were on their game today and when they play like that it’s always a very tough match.”

Clarke was also keen to pass on his best wishes to Glenn Hoddle, with his former team-mate at Chelsea in a serious condition in hospital after a heart attack.

Clarke added: “My thoughts are with Glenn and his family and hopefully it’s not as serious as it sounds and he can make a full recovery.

“Something like that just puts our game into perspective.”