Dylan McGowan says Hamilton Accies were in “devastating” form as they downed the Diamonds on derby day.
The Aussie ace climbed off the bench to head home a rare goal in an impressive 4-0 triumph over Airdrie in a Championship clash at New Broomfield on Saturday.
And he says he will need to link up more with provider Connor Smith – as it was the midfielder who laid on his last Accies goal in April 2023 in a win over Raith Rovers.
The 33-year-old defender said: “It is a rarity, me getting a goal. I think the last one I got, Connor Smith swung it in as well but I think he’s had about three clubs since then, so I’m glad he’s back!
“He just said to me he assisted my last goal and he’s been at St Johnstone, Hearts and Scunthorpe since then, so I’ll maybe need to link up with him a little bit more. It was a proper away performance.
“At times we had to defend our box, Charlie [Albinson] made a really good save, we soaked up a bit of pressure but we were pretty devastating on the counter-attack and we probably should have scored more goals in the end.
“But we can’t be too upset with a 4-0 win.”When you’ve got me, [Nikolay] Todorov and [Sean] McGinty in the box, it is tough for teams to deal with. I’m happy to chip in with a wee goal.”
McGowan came on as a first half substitute when he replaced Lee Kilday, who failed to shrug off a knock.
Accies were already 2-0 up and cruising at that point and McGowan, who is on the comeback trail after breaking his leg in July, admitted: “It is one of those things where, coming on at 2-0 up as a centre-back, you think the only way is down, really.
“I had to come on and be able to contribute, just try to do what Lee and McGinty were doing beforehand.
“Defend the box well, keep the line nice and high and try to help the performance. I was happy I could help the team out.”
Accies, who are back up to sixth in the table, now host Livingston looking to extend their winning run.
The Lions eased to a 3-0 victory when the sides last met in September and Connor Smith says Accies will have a point to prove against the league’s second place side.
He said: “Livi beat us 3-0 last time so we’ve got a marker to put down in that one.”