ALI CRAWFORD reckons Hamilton's no fear mentality has allowed them to tackle the Scottish top flight this term.

Accies lead the way in the Premiership standings after a remarkable start to the season and host Kilmarnock this afternoon determined to keep up their superb run of form.

Alex Neil's side have built up some early season momentum and are already 13 points clear of struggling St Mirren and Ross County in the table.

The job is far from complete for the Premiership newcomers as they look to secure their place in the top tier next time out but Crawford knows the challenge won't faze the New Douglas Park squad.

He said: "We don't have anything to fear in this league. We have been playing well and taking that confidence into each game.

"We have been proving everyone wrong. We were disappointed not to win against Dundee United last weekend and it shows how far we have come when you are disappointed to go to Tannadice and not get three points.

"We have kicked on from last year and maintained our level of performance. It could have been even better for us, but we are not going to get greedy.

"We are top of the league, which nobody would have thought we would be at this stage and we want to keep it going."

After seeing off St Mirren, St Johnstone, Partick Thistle and Ross County, Hamilton's winning run was halted last weekend as they were held to a 2-2 draw by United.

The visit of Killie this afternoon gives them a chance to collect another three points, but Crawford insists their stunning start won't get to Hamilton's heads.

He said: "We will keep taking each game as it comes. It is another big game for us against Killie and hopefully we can get another three points.

"That was our approach last year so why change a winning formula? It has got us to where we are now."

Hamilton head into the Killie clash without one of their most influential stars after Darian MacKinnon saw red at Tannadice last weekend.

The midfielder has been a key presence alongside Crawford in the middle of the park for Neil's side.

But the 23-year-old is confident Accies can cope without the combative midfielder as the manager gets set to shuffle his pack for the visit of Allan Johnston's side.

Crawford said: "He gives us something different in the middle with his energy and his fight.

"There are players who can come in and do a job and get the same performance from the team.

"I thought he was unlucky to get sent off, I didn't see anything in his first booking especially.

"But it has happened and we just need to deal with it and it gives someone else a chance to come in."