LOUIS Longridge has admitted the disappointment of failing to make the Premiership top six has been hard to shake off.

Having established themselves firmly in the top half of the table in the early months of the campaign - at one stage Hamilton topped the table - Accies' form slipped dramatically after the turn of the year following the departure of Alex Neil to Norwich.

However, the impressive early form has paved the way for a relatively stress-free end to the campaign since surviving in the top flight is of paramount importance.

Yet, despite the straight- forward road between now and the end of the campaign, Longridge is still kicking himself at what he feels was a chance that was allowed to meekly slip away.

"I was disappointed we didn't made the top six because of the position we were in to go and achieve that goal, but we can't dwell on it," he said. "What is done is done and we need to focus on staying as high up the table as possible, which would be seventh place. That is our main goal just now.

"At the start of the season we were probably tipped to go down, so to finish anywhere outwith the play-off is an achievement, but considering the start we had, we are still disappointed we didn't finish in the top six.

"We had 13 games to achieve that and we didn't manage to win one of those games."

Tomorrow night's meeting with Motherwell is an opportunity for Accies to turn the screw on their local rivals, who look destined to be involved in the play-off.

Motherwell thumped Hamilton 4-0 last month, and Longridge was honest enough to admit he would like the chance to atone for that one.

"We would like to get a bit of revenge against Motherwell because of the last game," he said. "It will be difficult because teams are fighting for survival, but we are going to work hard and hopefully take our chances. Hopefully that is enough to get the points."

Despite the fact Hamilton have been chasing a league win since January, the winger believes there has been an upturn in performances in recent weeks.

"I am not sure what has been missing," he said. "Our tempo wasn't as fast as it could be and, in this division, you can't afford to carry any passengers.

"You need everyone at it and I feel as though in the last couple of games we have been getting back to that. Hopefully a win tomorrow is there for us.

"Considering the past two games have been against teams who have finished in the top six, we feel we have played better than our opponents and should have taken something from the games.

"There is positivity there. We felt as though we had done enough to win our last game, but we just didn't take our chances.

"Dundee United had one shot on target and then got their goal. If we continue working hard we will get the win."