Hamilton Academical and Kilmarnock share the spoils

Hamilton Academical and Kilmarnock played out a goalless draw in the Scottish Premiership, despite plenty of goalmouth action at both ends of the park.

The Accies crafted the first meaningful chance of the afternoon in the third minute when Darian MacKinnon struck a half-volley towards goal, forcing Killie goalkeeper Craig Samson into an early save.

Martin Canning's side threatened again in the 16th minute as Daniel Redmond slid a pass through to Jason Scotland and the veteran striker fired narrowly over after turning well.

Killie had the chance to open the scoring from a 20th-minute free kick, from which Finland international Alexei Eremenko came within inches of finding the top corner.

The visitors had Samson to thank for keeping them on level terms just before the half-hour mark when he pulled off an exceptional save to deny Ali Crawford from close range.

Both sides finished the half strongly, with Mackinnon forcing Samson into another good stop minutes before the break, while Rory McKenzie twisted and turned in the Accies box and tested Michael McGovern with a curling strike.

Kilmarnock came out of the tunnel the more confident of the two sides and almost took the lead within minutes of the restart as Craig Slater's drive whistled past the Hamilton post.

Hamilton could have stolen maximum points in the final 10 minutes as Scotland almost had a sight of goal, only for a vital interception by Mark Connolly to deny him the chance to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

The result leaves Hamilton in fifth place in the table, with Killie down in eighth.