Elgin City are still searching for their first victory since stepping up from Highland League football this year, after a calamitous opening 15 minutes against promotion-favourites Hamilton contributed to their 2-0 down-fall.

Elgin were stunned when Mark Nelson's 30-yarder tore into the top corner of the net on 13 minutes and the game had barely resumed when Mike Morrison collected his second yellow card of the match to leave his side a man short and desperately chasing the game.

Hamilton would have had the contest wrapped up far sooner had it not been for the brilliance of home goalkeeper Martin Pirie, who twice denied Alex Eadie in the first-half and thwarted eventual goalscorer Davie McFarlane with a remarkable low save midway through the second-half.

But McFarlane's cool 10 yard finish 15 minutes from time sealed the points, leaving Elgin down and out as they try to adjust to life in the big league.