Hamilton Accies ..... 1

St Mirren .............. 0

ACCIES' dreams of another financial cup windfall against Rangers came true for the second consecutive season with a

solitary-goal win over St Mirren.

Gary Wales snatched the all-important goal 18 minutes from time with what was hardly a classic strike, but in an instantly forgettable match the young striker's goal could prove invaluable to hard-up Hamilton.

With the prospect of television and gate money for the winner, there was little between the sides in a rather scrappy match, but if anything St Mirren created the better goal-scoring chances.

Roared on by an encouraging following support, the Paisley side came close in the first half to breaking the deadlock. Junior Mendes, who floated in and out of the game, did likewise to a

partial clearance that drifted over the home goalkeeper, only for Chris Hillcoat to pop up on the goal line and head clear.

Just when it seemed that Saints might make the breakthrough before extra time, Accies won a corner, which Steven Renicks whipped over.

The ball was only partially cleared to McLaren, whose shot was weak, but on target. How-ever, before it could reach goal, Wales squeezed it over the line

HAMILTON ACCIES - J Hillcoat, Renicks, Cunnington, C Hillcoat, MacLaren, Thomson, Clark, D Henderson, Geraghty, Wales, N Henderson. Substitutes: McAulay, McCormick, Moore.

ST MIRREN - Roy, McNamee, Kerr, Turner, Innes, McLaughlin, Murray,

O'Brien, Brown, Mendes, Yardley. Substitutes:

McGarry, McQuilter, Drew.

Referee - D. Smith, Barassie.