Hamilton Academical manager Martin Canning bemoaned his side’s lack of cutting edge as they were held by Queen of the South at the Super Seal Stadium.
A thumping strike from substitute Steven Boyd put Accies in front with two minutes to play before a defensive mix-up allowed Stephen Dobbie to snatch an equaliser for the Championship side moments later.
The late equaliser means Hamilton missed the opportunity to move clear at the top of Group G, despite recovering from a two-goal deficit to win the penalty shoot-out 6-5 as keeper Gary Woods saved three spot-kicks.
It was a frantic end to an otherwise drab affair as Hamilton laboured to break down Gary Naysmith’s well-organised outfit.
Canning admitted that his side did not display enough creativity as Queens put numbers behind the ball.
“We need to be a bit more clever in terms of how we create opportunities but it isn’t easy when a team of well organised, good professionals put 10 men behind the ball," he said. “We didn’t create enough opportunities and probably didn’t put the ball wide enough and that’s something I wasn’t happy about, we tried continually to play through the middle.
“But I must admit young Steven Boyd’s finish was outstanding, he’s been great all pre-season and knocking on the door for an opportunity to start in the Premiership.”
Accies made one change from the side that narrowly avoided humiliation to Lowland League champions East Kilbride last weekend, with new- signing Xavier Tomas making his debut at the expense of Greg Docherty.
The Lanarkshire men again lacked spark as they struggled to break down a resolute Queens rearguard, while Conor Murray and Stephen threatened occasionally on the counter for the away side.
Celtic winger Jonny Hayes briefly occupied a seat below the press box at half time, and it was a game in dire need of someone with the Irishman’s speed and directness.
In the end, Hamilton had Woods to thank as they claimed a potentially vital bonus point.
Queen of the South manager Gary Naysmith was pleased with his side's performance, despite giving away a two-goal advantage in the shoot-out.
“It was all going to plan and then we make a bad mistake, we’ve tried to clear it twice and the boy has hit a wonderful strike. But we went again and got a goal, it would have been cruel on them if they’d lost that game.
“It hurts a bit when you’re 2-0 up in the shoot-out but you can’t blame anyone for missing a penalty, there’s far better players then ours who have missed penalties.”
Hamilton: Woods, Gillespie, Tomas, Skondras, McMann; Gogic, McKinnon, Imrie (Templeton, 61), Crawford, Longridge (Redmond, 54), Bingham. Sub not used: Jamieson, Skondras, Docherty, Donati.
Queen of the South: Martin, Mercer (Rooney 79), Fordyce, Brownlie, Marshall; Murray (Tapping 68), Rankin, Jacobs, Stirling (Lyle 85); Dykes, Dobbie. Subs not used: Leighfield, Bell, Akubine.
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