ALEX NEIL is confident Hamilton can continue to defy the odds and silence their doubters.

The Accies boss saw his team go top of the Premiership standings last Saturday as they extended their unbeaten run to five games with a 2-2 draw against Dundee United at Tannadice.

Next up for them is the visit of Kilmarnock to New Douglas Park this weekend. And Neil sees no reason why his side's bubble has to burst.

He said: "We are a bit disappointed we didn't win on Saturday.

"We watched a tape of the game yesterday morning and, based on chances, we did enough to get all three points.

"Some people had questioned whether we could play one of the better teams at their place and hold our own. We did more than that.

"We have shown we're a good side at this level but we know it is still early days.

"We are only six games into the season and have to maintain that form now, which is always the difficult thing. But we are full of confidence and looking forward to the challenge."

Hamilton's unbeaten run followed a home loss to Inverness on the first day of the season.

"The response to that has been excellent," Neil admitted. "If we can keep that character up all year then we'll have a successful season.

"Everyone is waiting for us to slip up. I know that eventually we will lose another game or even a run of games.

"The important thing will be how we bounce back from that."

Accies moved into pole position in the top flight just hours after it was confirmed that one of Neil's closest colleagues is set to leave New Douglas Park.

Club secretary Scott Struthers is bringing the curtain down on his long tenure at Hamilton and the player/manager confessed he will be sad to see him go.

"Scott will be a huge loss for Accies," Neil said. "I've grown really close to him during the time I have been here.

"He is a huge part of the club. Anyone who thinks of Hamilton Accies thinks of Scott.

"I had a chat with him and he said he is getting to the stage in life where he wants to try a couple of different things.

"But that doesn't mean he won't be back at Hamilton in the future.

"Scott is highly regarded in the game for the role he does. He will be a huge loss but we have to move on.

"He is going to explore other things and we wish him all the best.

"Hopefully we'll get a night out with him to send him on his way."