HAMILTON's long wait for a win under Martin Canning goes on but, on a day when their player-manager was harshly red-carded, this hard-earned point proves their spirit is undiminished.

They were leading through Ali Crawford's early opener and appeared on course for a first victory since they last met St Johnstone on January 4, when Canning was ordered off for an ill-advised challenge on Michael O'Halloran.

There was still more than half-an-hour to play and the visitors duly made the extra man count through Brian Graham's equaliser.

However, it is to Hamilton's credit that they managed to hold on for a point that could yet prove crucial in their quest for a top-six finish. That was of little immediate consolation to Guillaume Beuzelin, Hamilton's assistant manager, who undertook post-match media duties.

"The sending off changed the whole match," said Beuzelin. "For me it is not a red card, only yellow, and I think if it had stayed 11 v11 it would have been a different story. But the boys worked very hard to get a draw."

Manager Canning had returned to the starting line-up in one of five changes to the team that lost heavily to Motherwell last time out. There was a recall for West Ham-bound defender Stephen Hendrie following injury while Darian Mackinnon, Louis Longridge and Nigel Hasselbaink were also back.

Tam Scobbie replaced Frazer Wright while Danny Swanson was preferred to Steven McLean as Saints sought their first win of the season against the New Douglas Park side. However, the visitors failed to get the start they wanted, falling behind to an avoidable goal after only seven minutes.

The Saints defence should have been able to deal with Longridge's cross but instead three of them were drawn to Hasselbaink while Crawford found all the space he needed to pick his spot behind Alan Mannus from eight yards.

Hamilton might have doubled their lead soon after when Crawford embarked on an enterprising run from his own half before attempting to pick out the unmarked Danny Redmond. However, Swanson had matched the striker's run and produced a vital last-ditch interception.

Accies continued to have the better of it and threatened again when Crawford's deep corner picked out the unmarked Longridge.

This time, though, St Johnstone's lax defending went unpunished as a poor touch saw the ball sail harmlessly over the bar.

The Perth side eventually found their way to the opposite box but Ziggy Crawford was alert to the potential danger, clearing the ball to safety as O'Halloran attempted to seize on a loose ball.

O'Halloran had a better chance when he raced clear of the home defence moments later but Michael McGovern raced from his line to force the striker wide before Gordon arrived to snuff out any further danger.

The visitors resorted to shooting from distance but had no success when Dave Mackay's effort drifted wide.

Saints started the second half on the offensive and were almost level when Graham's cross picked out Simon Lappin after Gordon had slipped at the vital moment. However, Lappin's shot was blocked on the line by a combination of McGovern and Mikey Devlin and the ball was eventually scrambled clear.

The match erupted in controversy soon after when first Lappin, booked moments earlier, avoided further punishment following a crude foul on Gordon.

Referee Greg Aitken then fell further out of favour with the home support when he opted to flash a straight red at Canning who had upended O'Halloran.

Graham then made no mistake, rising to meet Lappin's deep cross with a firm header into the corner for a deserved equaliser.

Hamilton (4-4-1-1): McGovern; Gordon, Hendrie (MacDonald 78), Devlin, Canning, Gillespie, Crawford, Hasselbaink (Brophy 81), Longridge, MacKinnnon, Redmond (Garcia Tena 60). Unused Subs: Scotland, Lyon, Docherty, Hill (GK). Booked: Longridge, Mackinnon Sent-off: Canning

St Johnstone (4-2-3-1): Mannus; MacKay, Scobbie, Anderson, Millar, Wotherspoon, Swanson (Croft 81), Graham, Davidson (Lappin 46), Easton, O'Halloran (Kane 85). Unused Subs: Wright, Caddis, Miller, Banks (GK). Booked: Lappin, Anderson

Referee: Greg Aitken. Attendance: 2,032