FOOTBALL can be a cruel mistress.

The build-up to this fixture was afforded a shuddering sense of perspective when Hamilton boss Brian Rice acknowledged that he had relapsed in his ongoing struggle with "the disease that is gambling addiction".

The decision was gutsy and candid, as was his decision to self-report his breaches of the SFA’s regulations, and the Scottish football community – including the Hamilton hierarchy – has rallied behind Rice.

A largely impressive performance by his charges in Leith underlined their own appreciation and respect for their boss, taking the lead through Alex Gogic in the first period. In the circumstances, it would have been impossible to grudge the North Lanarkshire side at least a point.

However, the hosts awoke from their slumber after the break to complete an unlikely turnaround courtesy of efforts from Christian Doidge and Paul Hanlon.

“I haven’t been as disappointed as this all season,” said Rice. “We deserved something from that match and no-one can tell me otherwise. The boys were tremendous in the first half then we got a bit deep – and a couple of mistakes have cost us at least a point.”

Hamilton exploded out of the blocks. A superb low cross from Scott McMann was begging to be converted but there were no takers in the box, before Markus Fjortoft headed over the bar from a tempting corner.

As such, it came as no surprise when Accies claimed the lead after 18 minutes. Once again a McMann delivery caused havoc as his deep corner found an unmarked Gogic at the back post to power home a header.

With the hosts rattled and rocking, Blair Alston then fizzed narrowly wide of the post.

The Herald:

Asked whether the showing in the first was the worst of his tenure, Hibs head coach Jack Ross said: “Yes. I wasn’t happy at all. We’ve had some frustrating periods in games but, in the main, I’ve been pleased. Even when we’ve dipped we’ve not dipped like that. We were as poor in so many aspects and had to freshen things up.”

As a result, Ross made two alterations, with Vykintas Slivka and Hallberg hooked for the returning Stephane Omeonga and Joe Newell.

And those changes almost has the desired effect when a Fjortoft slip in the box presented Flo Kamberi with a terrific opportunity. However, Owain Fon Williams was on hand to make a fine point-blank save before blocking the follow-up effort by Christian Doidge.

Doidge would not be denied just after the hour mark as he once again illustrated his predatory instincts by being in the right place at the right time to prod the ball into an empty net after Martin Boyle had struck the post. That’s 11 for the campaign for the burly Welshman.

Fon Williams made superb late save to deny Daryl Horgan as Hibs sought to complete the turnaround but it would prove to be a temporary reprieve.

Hanlon broke Hamilton hearts when he rose highest to meet a wonderful delivery from Boyle, rippling the net with a clinical header.

Two assists from Boyle are likely to have impressed Celtic’s head of football operations, Nicky Hammond, who was in attendance.

“Did they leave at half-time?” quipped Ross. “No, I’ve said before he’s a better player than some people have given him credit for and he’s the last person I’d like to lose from this club."