Hamilton got an unwanted action replay of their opening day 4-0 hammering by Aberdeen as Hearts beat them by the same heavy scoreline at New Douglas Park.

Billy Reid's team have now endured a horrific start to the season with eight goals conceded and none scored and were outplayed by Hearts in a game that saw both teams reduced to 10 men. Hearts were two ahead by half-time with fine strikes by Calum Elliot and David Templeton, and a depleted Hamilton, missing several senior players, could not respond after the interval.

Ruben Palazuelos was ordered off for Hearts for two yellow card offences, but that was evened out when Martin Canning was red-carded for a foul on Lee Wallace that set up Kevin Kyle to score a Hearts third from the penalty spot. Hamilton's misery was compounded with nine minutes remaining as Elliot was allowed to run through far too easily and make it a 4-0 reverse for the second week running.

In the sixth minute, Hearts took an early lead with a finely crafted strike, Suso Santana playing in Elliot from the right flank who then curled in a brilliant effort beyond Tomas Cerny in the Hamilton goal.

Hamilton went two behind after 24 minutes and only had themselves to blame after a wayward backpass from Simon Mensing saw an attempting diving header from keeper Cerny. With Hamilton unable to properly clear, Palazuelos collected the ball and fed Templeton who produced a powerful angled drive for 2-0.

Hamilton were looking brighter and might have pulled a goal back after 49 minutes when Dougie Imrie's cross from the left was met with a powerful close-range header from Flavio Paixao that crashed against the crossbar.

Hearts were reduced to 10 men in the 63rd minute when Palazuelos paid for his earlier silly booking with a second caution that was beyond dispute, an ugly studs-up foul on Flavio Paixao.

Hamilton's fate was sealed in the 75th minute when Canning, having given the ball away, was punished for a trip on Wallace as he surged into the area, meaning the double punishment of a red card and a penalty. Kyle volunteered and thumped the ball into the top right corner.

Worse was to come for Hamilton after 81 minutes when Kyle Wilkie lost the ball and Elliot got a clear run at goal before claiming his second of the game with a composed low finish.

Elliot was denied a hat-trick in the closing minutes when his shot was tipped over by Cerny, but by then the damage had been done for Hamilton.

Source: PA