DOUGIE IMRIE was delighted to see Hamilton's kids step up to the plate and help Accies continue their superb start to the season.

Alex Neil's side were without Martin Canning, Jesus Garcia Tena and Mickael Antoine-Curier through injury for their clash with Kilmarnock on Saturday while Darian MacKinnon missed out due to suspension.

After Neil, Imrie and Jason Scotland were substituted, it was left to a youthful outfit to get Hamilton over the line as Accies lost top spot in the Premiership standings after a goalless encounter at New Douglas Park.

Louis Longridge, Eamonn Brophy and Darren Lyon were all utilised from the bench in the second half and Imrie is pleased to see the Lanarkshire youngsters shining on the big stage.

He said: "We had a lot of experienced players out and finished the game with the oldest outfield player a 25-year-old.

"That just shows you the way the club is going. The gaffer, Jason Scotland and myself came off and they put on youth and I think that's the direction the club is going.

"We can always rely on the kids coming on at Hamilton. I feel an extra responsibility and we've been told to try and help them on. It's going to be tough with them and with the injuries we've got they'll need to stand up and be counted like everyone else.

"But the gaffer, myself, Jason and Martin Canning who have been there and done it can give them a helping hand to push them on. But they're all good players which is why they are here and why they are playing."

After turning in a series of impressive performances to take them top of the table in recent weeks, Hamilton failed to fire against Killie as they extended their unbeaten league run to six games.

Attentions switch to League Cup duty on Wednesday night as Motherwell make the short trip across Lanarkshire for the first of back-to-back derby clashes.

Accies will fancy their chances of booking a fourth round berth against their local rivals and Imrie is determined they will up their game when the Steelmen come to town.

He said: "You could possibly say it was a scrappy game (on Saturday). I thought the first half was better than the second obviously. We had a few chances and so did they but a draw was probably a fair result for both teams.

"We now go into a local derby on Wednesday which is one to look forward to. We'll prepare for that and it will be tough and they have less time to recover after playing Celtic on Sunday.

"Everyone will be up for it with both teams going hell for leather. They're special games for the fans. For players it's just another game although with a bit more incentive with it being a derby.

"We've got them three days after we play them in the Cup so it will be a big week for both clubs."