Dundee United weren’t at the races at Hamilton as they were hammered by Accies at New Douglas Park.
In a first half to forget for Jackie McNamara’s men, they conceded three goals to a team which, until then, hadn’t found the target since the start of the season.
The Tangerines kept the hosts out for almost all of the second period but, two minutes into stoppage-time, home sub Christian Nade netted from close range to make it 4-0.
That just put the tin hat on what was a dismal display from the visitors.
First off the mark for Hamilton was Ali Crawford on 19 minutes and the goal came gift-wrapped from the Tannadice men.
Central defender Mark Durnan played a slack pass forward as he attempted to find John Rankin and the ball was gratefully collected by Crawford.
Always a danger, the Accies man was given way too much space and time in which to cue up a shot from the edge of the box and his low strike zipped inside keeper Luis Zwick’s left-hand post.
On 36 minutes, out-of-sorts United found themselves 2-0 down when Lucas Tagliapietra headed into the Tangerines’ net to give Zwick no chance.
The visitors were rocking now and, remarkably, they fell even further behind on 39 minutes when Carlton Morris raced clear of the defence before slotting the ball under the body of the advancing Zwick.
Substitute Robbie Muirhead came close for United with a shot from 25 yards, Chris Erskine’s shot was brilliantly saved by McGovern and sub A in the final minute as they tried to get a goal back.
However, it was Hamilton who had the last laugh through Nade.
The hope for United fans must be that there won’t be any more performances as bad as this one from their team this season.
Hamilton Accies: McGovern, Gordon, Kurakins, Gillespie, Imrie (Longridge 83), Crawford, Kurtaj, MacKinnon, Garcia Tena, Morris (Nade 72), Tagliapietra (Watson 65). Subs not used: Martin, MacDonald, Docherty, Boyd.
Dundee United: Zwick, Dixon, Souttar, Erskine, Murray (Muirhead 59), McGowan, Rankin, Durnan, Bodul (Connolly 59), Spittal, Donaldson. Subs not used: McCallum, Dillon,Telfer, Lochhead, Fraser.
Referee: Steven McLean.