Hamilton Acad 2 Aberdeen 0 Aberdeen could be �forgiven for harbouring a persecution complex as they returned north on Saturday evening.

Hamilton Acad 2 Aberdeen 0

Aberdeen could be forgiven for harbouring a persecution complex as they returned north on Saturday evening. A four-match winning streak, which had identified the Pittodrie side as contenders for third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, had stuttered to an abject end leaving Jimmy Calderwood nursing a face like a burst ba'.

Lady Luck had, unequivocally, rejected Aberdeen's advances. A strong starting XI belied the reported flu outbreak that had ravaged the squad at the end of last week, although one department of his squad that seemed to escape were the wingers; that was fortunate given that Hamilton were likely to sit deep and invite their visitors to break them down. Or perhaps not.

A pre-match inspection of the pitch by referee Stephen Finnie concluded that a one-yard strip of turf running the entire length of the touchline was unsuitable for play as a result of what was later confirmed as an airlock in the undersoil heating system.

The decision was taken by all parties to narrow the pitch by two yards on either side to ensure the game could go ahead. It prevented thousands of travelling supporters from having a wasted journey but also scuppered their manager's plans to play an expansive game.

Calderwood admitted afterwards that he could have protested but confessed that the idea of enraging the sizable contingent of Aberdeen fans did not appeal. Instead, his players incited all the anger with an inept effort.

Granted, the clever deployment of Hamilton's David Graham and James McCarthy prevented the visiting full-backs from supplementing an already narrow attack but an inability to complete simple passes was at the root of Aberdeen's demise.

"We were second to every ball and they put us under a lot of pressure," admitted centre-back Zander Diamond, who was afflicted by the virus. "At times we could have done the simple thing, but we were trying to thread too many little passes. We also lost too many individual battles, which is not like us as we've done really well over the past few weeks."

Their failings were augmented by misfortune, though. Diamond looked to haul down McCarthy at the edge of the penalty area after the youngster's delightful reception of a long ball had bamboozled the defender. Finnie immediately signalled for a free-kick but changed his mind after the thoughts of his assistant were relayed to his earpiece, and he awarded a penalty.

Debate over the exact location of the offence continued as Simon Mensing leathered the kick high into the net but Diamond was left wondering why he had not been punished further and why Martin Canning did not receive sanction minutes later when he tugged Sone Aluko as the Englishman scampered towards the box after a long ball.

"The referee was already pointing for a free kick but there seemed to be a long discussion about what to give and I think if they are unsure then they shouldn't give it," said Diamond, who suggested any contact was minimal. "The two guys were talking through their microphones discussing it and a couple of the boys heard them questioning each other but, if they do give it then I think it's got to be a card of some sort for me. It was the same at the other end, if the challenge on Sone is deemed to be a goalscoring opportunity then it's got to be a card; that's the rule."

The centre back's afternoon got worse, too. For a spell after the opening goal, Richard Offiong was almost unplayable, culminating in the Hamilton striker eluding Diamond to scud a low drive across Jamie Langfield from a narrow angle to secure the points.

"He didn't start the season very well and found it more difficult to score goals in the Premier League," admitted goalkeeper Tomas Cerny of his colleague, who was shown a second yellow card late on for kicking the ball away.

The Czech also impressed with several fine saves as Billy Reid's side recorded a third consecutive win.