H amilton took revenge over Queen of the South for their Scottish Cup exit last weekend by winning 1-0 at Palmerston Park and extending their lead at the top of the Championship.
Mikhael Antoine-Curier contributed the only goal with a clinical finish after just 16 minutes but the day would get much worse for the player, who was stretchered off in the second half with a cheekbone fracture.
Queen of the South had plenty of possession but could not penetrate a well-organised Hamilton defence. Iain Russell hit the side-netting and Derek Lyle was denied by Kevin Cuthbert in the second half as Hamilton held on.
Dundee beat Raith Rovers 2-0 in front of a crowd of over 5000 at Dens Park to take over second place at the expense of their opponents.
Ryan Conroy put them in front when he curled a free-kick beyond Ross Laidlaw with his left foot.
Raith were reduced to 10 men shortly afterwards when Callum Booth picked up his second yellow card but they had their chances after that.
Both Calum Elliot and Joe Cardle had penalty claims in the second half but it all amounted to nothing as the promising Craig Wighton effectively took the points out of their reach with a second goal.
Alloa Athletic maintained their challenge with a 2-0 win at Cowdenbeath.
Kevin Cawley, who had threatened from the outset, put them in front with the aid of a deflection and Andy Kirk headed a second goal, shortly after Thomas Flynn had denied him with an excellent save.
Kirk had the ball in the net again before half time but was denied by the offside flag.
Cowdenbeath wasted a great chance to get back into things when they were awarded a penalty after Scott Bain fouled Greg Stewart. But Mark McKenzie's spot-kick was saved by Bain and Alloa held on for three valuable points.
Falkirk enjoyed a handsome 4-1 win over Livingston as their opponents struggled in defence all afternoon.
Will Vaulks put them ahead early in the game and Rory Loy scored a fine second goal from a Connor McGrandles pass.
Craig Sibbald pounced at the back post for Falkirk's third of the afternoon, volleying a Phil Roberts' cross home before Loy scored his second.
Vaulks salvaged some pride for the visitors, embarrassingly turning Martin Scott's cross into his own net.
Morton gave themselves some hope at the bottom of the table by beating Dumbarton 2-0 at Cappielow on a day in which the four sides above them all lost.
Nacho Novo should have broken the deadlock in the first half when he was clean through on the goalkeeper but his shot struck the outside of the post.
Derek Gaston saved from Jordan Kirkpatrick at the other end in an open first half. However, despite the attacking intent on display from both sides, neither side could find the net.
It all changed after the break when Mark McLaughlin gave the hosts a 60th-minute lead when he headed in a Dougie Imrie free-kick. Novo then struck the post again with Morton in the ascendency.
Tomas Peciar made sure with a second goal two minutes from time to bring Morton only their second league win.
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