Last updated on .From the section Scottish Premiership

Kilmarnock moved up to second in the Premiership after a draw with Hamilton, but boss Steve Clarke said their league position was "unimportant".

The Ayrshire side could not earn their fifth win in a row, but the point moves them a point clear of Celtic and five behind leaders Hearts.

Dougie Imrie flicked in James Keating's free-kick to give Hamilton the lead.

But Rory McKenzie drew Kilmarnock level, with Accies finishing with 10 men after Steven Boyd was sent off.

"Our position in the table at this stage of the season is not important to us," Clarke told BBC Scotland. "It's consistency of performance. It's 13 points out of 15, that's good for us."

Hamilton who had the better chances to win it, with Keatings passing up a glorious opportunity, but the point moves them up to ninth place, four clear of bottom club Dundee.

Kilmarnock off colour, but grind it out

Kilmarnock started with a spring in their step as they looked to move to within three points of leaders Hearts.

But their ambitions were hindered by Eamonn Brophy having an off day in front of goal. The Scotland Under-21 international put a free header well over then made a hash of an attempted volley.

For five games in a row, Kilmarnock had conceded first. And once again on Saturday they were left chasing a deficit when Keatings floated in a free-kick, and Imrie appeared to get a slightest nick on it at the front post with a diving header.

In their more recent four games, though, Clarke's side had fought back to win. Here they responded again, but couldn't kick on.

Just before the break, Greg Stewart played in McKenzie, who guided the ball low into the far corner.

The goal was probably more than Kilmarnock deserved though, and their underwhelming display continued into the second half as Accies threatened again.

First Fredrik Brustad was played through and forced a save from Jamie MacDonald, then a minute later Keatings passed up a golden opportunity; somehow steering wide at the back post.

Hamilton had lost just one of their past six Premiership trips to Rugby Park - their most recent visit in March - but they were looking comfortable until the hosts frantically searched for a late winner.

Even then, Stuart Findlay's shot over from the edge of the box was as close as Killie would come, and Accies could have nicked the game themselves had Rakish Bingham not shot straight at MacDonald.

Accies sub Boyd was sent off in the last moments of the game after collecting a second yellow card for a foul on Scott Boyd.

'Resolute Hamilton prove a point' - analysis

BBC Scotland's John Barnes at Rugby Park

Although Kilmarnock enjoyed the better of the first half possession, they didn't test goalkeeper Gary Woods until they equalised a minute before the interval. There were times when the hosts gave the ball away cheaply in good attacking positions, which has been unlike them recently.

Hamilton changed to a back four and it seemed to work to keep the Kilmarnock strikers at bay. Darian MacKinnon got a yellow card for clattering Alan Power and the two clashed again as they made their way up the tunnel at half-time.

But that fighting spirit was enough to earn a welcome point after a run of six defeats in seven matches for Accies.

Hamilton's Steven Boyd was given a second yellow card in time added on

'It's a decent point' - reaction

Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke: "It was a good performance from Hamilton, I thought they made it really difficult for us. We couldn't find any fluency or rhythm in the game.

"There will be a lot of people going away today disappointed that we didn't get the win, but for me it's a decent point. It's a point we got when we didn't play at our best.

Hamilton manager Martin Canning: "We performed well. It's a well-earned point and we could have nicked it. It's a good point for us considering the last couple of results.

"The second yellow card is unfortunate, he's tried to nick it and he's just caught him late. The frustrating one is the first yellow - it's a foul on Boyd, he doesn't get it, then 10 seconds later he allows his frustration to get the better of him and gives away a free-kick. It's a learning experience."