ARCHIE CAMPBELL savoured an afternoon to remember as Morton kicked off 2012 in style with a 3-1 win over Ayr United.

The former Rangers striker joined David O'Brien and Paul di Giacomo on the scoresheet at Cappielow as Allan Moore's side clinched all three points on their first outing of the New Year.

The Ton had fallen behind after Michael Moffat gave Brian Reid's side a first half lead, but they fought back to secure their second successive win. Campbell was an influential figure for the hosts and was delighted to emerge victorious from an action-packed afternoon.

He said: "It was an eventful game for me as I put in the cross for the equaliser just before half-time then got the second myself before having to come off injured.

"I thought their player should have been sent as it was a really bad tackle on me, but he shook hands and that's football. When you go behind in games you can get frustrated and make silly tackles."

Elsewhere in the First Division, Hamilton Accies put distance between themselves and bottom-of- the-table Queen of the South with a 2-1 win at Palmerston.

Two goals from striker Dougie Imrie had Billy Reid's side on course for a straightforward win, but there was late drama as Mark McLaughlin saw red before Accies keeper Scott Christie saved Scott McLaughlin's spot-kick.

Ryan McGuffie did pull a goal back eight minutes from time, but Reid was left bewildered at the red card confusion.

He said: "It is a big result for us. I did not see what the penalty was for. I don't think anybody did.

"The linesman then said Mark lifted his hands [for the second yellow], but I did not see him doing that in the centre circle."