HAMILTON manager Martin Canning insists Saturday’s ill-tempered Ladbrokes Premiership draw with Hearts was an opportunity missed, even though his side picked up their first point at Tynecastle in 37 years.

The visitors’ hopes of ending a run of 14 straight defeats in Gorgie were enhanced after 35 minutes when Hearts right-back Jamie Brandon collected a second yellow card for elbowing Antonio Rojano. Despite the numerical difference, Hearts went ahead in the 47th minute when Jamie Walker swept a stunning free-kick into the top corner.

The visitors levelled in the 69th minute when Xavier Tomas headed in David Templeton’s corner and were denied a late winner when Hearts goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin made a great save to deny the Frenchmen a second.

Hamilton have now gone six games unbeaten in a run that has seen them beat Rangers and also draw with Aberdeen and Hibs, but Canning was disappointed he did not leave Edinburgh with all three points.

He said: “We had gone behind and it is not easy to play against 10 men, especially when the atmosphere has gone the way it had but it does feel like points dropped if I am being honest.

“The importance of three points is huge and although we are picking up points and we are unbeaten in six games, we want to win games.

“So there is a bit of frustration that we haven’t managed to get all three points. But given our form here, I’m not going to sit here and be too disappointed.”

Canning disagreed with his Hearts counterpart, Craig Levein, who claimed that referee Bobby Madden “lost control” of the game.

“When I watch it back I think the big decisions in the game he got right,” said Canning.