STEVEN Ferguson, the Ross County co-manager, attempted to put a positive spin on things but frustration was the overriding emotion at the end of proceedings. While this was a point gained it felt as if two had been lost as County sought to alleviate their relegation worries.
Two quickfire goals at the start of the second half overturned Jamie Lindsay's opener for County to put Hamilton 2-1 in front, but the hosts' captain Andrew Davies equalised with 14 minutes remaining to secure a point.
Ferguson was phlegmatic afterwards and said that while his side's performance deserved more, they have to look at it as a point gained on their relegation rivals.
"To say we're frustrated is an understatement," he said. "When you put as much as we did into the game you expect to come away with all three points. Everybody knows we haven't done that, we've only taken one, but the way we've played merited three points and not just one.
"Things don't always go your way with little half decisions and choices around the box going against you, but we need to brush ourselves down and go again. It's another point gained on the team above us."
Ferguson's opposite number – and former team-mate at the Global Energy Stadium – Martin Canning was delighted to be able to leave Dingwall having taken something from the game.
"I'm pleased with a point. If you'd offered me that at half-time I'd have bitten your hand off," he said. "I thought first half we were really poor. It's so hard, you hear managers talking about it all the time, guarding against that type of performance when you're on the back of two good wins.
"That's a challenge for myself and our club for the levels to go up. We need to handle these games and these occasions better."
Canning's side were 1-0 down at half-time to Lindsay's goal, but came out firing after the restart and actually found themselves ahead within 10 minutes.
Substitute Dougie Imrie scored from the penalty spot to bring Hamilton level, and quickly afterwards Marios Ogboe's shot somehow found its way past Aaron McCarey in the Ross County goal to put the visitors in front.
Davies hit back but Canning said: "In the second half we were better. We came back out and went straight on the front foot, which was important. Obviously, we get our two goals and go 2-1 up and from there we were disappointed not to hang on and win the game, losing a goal from a set-piece. But on the balance of play, you can't deny Ross County a point today."
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