Ross County manager Don Cowie hailed the goal-scoring prowess of Ronan Hale after the striker’s instinctive debut strike started the fightback at Hamilton.
There appeared to be little danger when a cross came in for Hale with his back to goal but the summer signing from Cliftonville hooked the ball over his head first time and into the net from 12 yards.
Jordan White headed home two minutes later to seal a 2-1 win and put County well on course for the second round of the Premier Sports Cup.
On Hale, Cowie said in a club video: “We know what he’s capable of, he’s a goalscorer. It was a fantastic finish from him and it came at a really important time for us in terms of getting back into the game.
“And another goal for Jordan, four in three, it’s a great start for him.”
Accies had taken the lead when former County striker Oli Shaw capitalised on Connor Randall’s slack pass to score his first goal in two years.
Cowie said: “It was a really difficult game. Credit to Hamilton, they were very good. We struggled at times but what’s important is we won the game.”