Championship side Raith Rovers knocked Premiership opponents Hamilton out of the League Cup in an entertaining game at Starks Park.

An early Iain Davidson goal was cancelled out by Raith old-boy Christian Nade midway through the second half.

Rovers hit back though, and Kyle Benedictus headed home with ten minutes remaining to send Accies crashing out.

Raith started on the front foot and went ahead after just 2 minutes.

A Ryan McCord corner from the right caused all sorts of problems for the Hamilton defence, with Michael McGovern coming out but failing to collect.

As the ball broke loose Davidson reacted quickest to find the net via a deflection for his first goal since returning to the club.

Rovers created two more good opportunities soon after, with McGovern doing well to save from Grant Anderson before Lewis Toshney flashed a volley just wide.

Hamilton were presented an opportunity when a poor header by Kyle Benedictus fell to Ali Crawford inside the area, but Toshney got across brilliantly to block.

Hamilton created their best chance of the half just before the interval as Crawford’s free-kick was headed on deftly by Nade, but the ball dropped over Kevin Cuthbert and landed just the wrong side of the post.

Raith were well worth their half-time lead though, and Hamilton knew they had to up their game after the re-start.

They did so, and they almost equalised as Tena struck a beauty of a free-kick that was tipped over by the outstretched arm of Cuthbert.

They weren’t to be denied though, and from the corner Gramoz Kurtaj headed towards goal and Nade flicked the slightest of headers into the net from in front of the keeper after 66 minutes.

There were chances at both ends to win it, Hamilton substitute Steven Boyd forcing a good save from Cuthbert and Raith’s McCord likewise from McGovern.

With 80 minutes on the clock, Raith grabbed the all-important goal, and again it was McCord the provider.

His free-kick delivery was perfect for Benedictus to glance into the far corner of McGovern’s net and give the Championship side a deserved win.

Raith Rovers (4-4-2): Kevin Cuthbert; Jason Thomson, Lewis Toshney, Kyle Benedictus, Rory McKeown; Grant Anderson (Jon Daly, 69’), Ryan McCord, Iain Davidson, James Craigen; Mark Stewart, Mitch Megginson (Craig Wighton, 69’).

Unused subs: Ross Laidlaw, Ross Matthews, David Bates, Sean Mackie, Laurie Ellis.

Hamilton (4-2-3-1): Michael McGovern; Ziggy Gordon, Jesus Garcia Tena, Lucas Tagliapietra, Antons Kurakins; Darian MacKinnon, Greg Docherty (Steven Boyd, 69’); Louis Longridge (Dougie Imrie, 45’), Ali Crawford, Gramoz Kurtaj; Christian Nade.

Unused subs: Alan Martin, Martin Canning, Carlton Morris, Kieran MacDonald, Craig Watson.

Bookings: None

Sent Off: None

Man of the match: Ryan McCord

Referee: Don Robertson

Attendance: 1470