The Staggies sit top on goal difference but took a step towards taking outright control of the table when Dylan Smith smashed home from the edge of the area in the 31st minute.

But Stuart McKinstry cut inside and rifled into the bottom corner for Hamilton seven minutes later to keep the rivals level on 32 points each.

Dunfermline denied Stenhousemuir the opportunity to overtake Partick Thistle at the top of the Championship as Rory MacLeod’s 78th-minute goal secured a 1-0 win for the Pars at Ochilview Park.