Hamilton claimed their second win of the season 2-0 against 10-man St Mirren to edge further away from the danger zone in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Goals from Marco Paixao and Martin Canning at St Mirren Park allowed them to put four points between themselves and bottom side Falkirk.

Saints had been scoring goals for fun recently but could not find the back of the net on a day when their misery was compounded by the dismissal of Lee Mair in the second half.

Hamilton enjoyed the best possible start to the game when they surged into the lead with just three minutes on the clock.

A Richard Hastings corner broke for James Wesolowski, whose shot was blocked, but Paixao reacted quickly to pounce on the rebound and stab low into the net.

St Mirren recovered and carved out a decent chance to equalise but Michael Higdon's effort flashed across the face of goal and just past Tomas Cerny's right-hand post.

Accies had the chance to increase their lead when James McArthur let loose with a powerful volley but goalkeeper Paul Gallacher did well to block and prevent the home side from falling further behind.

But it was Reid's men who found the back of the net again just four minutes before the interval. Paixao turned provider with the cross for Canning to rifle home.

St Mirren emerged for the second half determined to force their way back into the game and could have pulled a goal back shortly after the restart.

A Dorman free-kick picked out Higdon in the box and he connected with the header in front of goal only to nod just wide of target but hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow when Mair picked up a straight red card for a last-man challenge on Mickael Antoine-Curier.