James McCarthy scored a goal in each half as Hamilton claimed a vital 2-1 win over Kilmarnock, their first home win in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League since January.

The teenage midfielder netted after just four minutes with a precise drive which went in off the post, and doubled his team's advantage 10 minutes after the restart with a fabulous finish from Richard Offiong's cross.

Kilmarnock, who were forced to substitute defender David Lilley and forward Danny Invincibile due to injury inside the first 15 minutes, pulled a goal back with an injury-time penalty from Jamie Hamill.

Hamilton took the lead on four minutes after a lively opening which had seen Offiong and Lilley poleaxed by a clash of heads inside the first 30 seconds.

Simon Mensing passed the ball out to McCarthy and the teenager drilled home a precise diagonal shot which went in off the right-hand post.

Kilmarnock struggled to threaten Tomas Cerny's goal after that early disruption to their team, but finally enjoyed more pressure in the 15 minutes before the interval.

David Fernandez released Mehdi Taouil with a pass from midfield and the Moroccan worked his way down the left flank and tried a shot which the home goalkeeper easily smothered at his left-hand post before Jamie Hamill was able to slide in and connect.

Kilmarnock looked promising in the early stages of the half but it was the hosts who doubled their advantage on 55 minutes.

Offiong found McCarthy with a cross which the teenager expertly lashed home from just inside the area.

Kilmarnock were handed an injury-time lifeline when a penalty was awarded against Brian Easton. A looping ball dropping from the air hit the defender's arm as he attempted to head clear and Hamill sent Cerny the wrong way from the spot.