LUCAS AKINS netted a debut goal for Hamilton Accies last night as the SPL new boys enjoyed a comfortable 3-1 win over Dumbarton.

There is little respite in sight for Billy Reid's side, however, with their third game in as many nights coming this evening when they play East Fife.

Reid was delighted with the manner of last night's win and was equally pleased with the performance of the squad's latest addition.

"Lucas is a striker but we played him in a wide position and he did very well," he said.

"He scored our third goal which is always nice because it can help a player to come into the team and settle quickly.

"The lad is only 19 but we are for big things to come from him.

"We are always going to be keen to give young guys a chance, but the key thing is that they have to earn it. We don't throw players in just for the sake of saying we are a young team.

All the youngsters that are in our side are there on merit and if they stay in the first-team it is for the same reason. We won't be frightened of playing relatively inexperienced boys this season in the SPL, but at the same time they have to be able to prove they can handle it."

Tony Stevenson and James McCarthy were the other scorers for Accies while Derek Carcary was on the scoresheet for Sons.

"We went into the break on level terms, but we felt we had done enough to be in front because we had by far the better of the play," said Reid.

"But we kept it going in the second period and got what we deserved.

"We're back on the road again tonight as we head up to Bayview, but we feel that with every game that goes past we are getting fitter and the players are getting themselves geared up mentally and physically for the start of the season."