Hamilton Accies boss Darian MacKinnon says Saturday's stalemate at East Fife should serve as a reality check for his players.
The South Lanarkshire side strolled through their opening three games and picked up maximum points, scoring 10 goals without conceding. However, the 100 per cent start for big-spending Accies came to a halt at Bayview in a 0-0 draw MacKinnon described as "boring".
Accies did maintain their clean sheet record but MacKinnon was frustrated by a lack of quality in the final third and said it should serve as a warning that they won't get everything their own way in League One.
Fair result at Bayview
MacKinnon, whose side remain a point clear of Ross County at the summit having played a game more, told the club media: "A point each is a fair result.
"I don't think there was much in the game and it was quite a boring game, to be perfectly honest.
"I thought there were a lot of balls up to our strikers, throw-ins, all that sort of stuff you would expect, but if you take that away I don't think we played at a tempo with runners in behind or moving the ball quick.
"We were lacking in a couple of areas today but we've come away with a point. If you can't get three, then you take the one and get out of there.
Reality check for Accies
"It is a wee reality check. This league isn't going to be easy. We are not just going to rock up and roll teams over. There are going to be fights and dig out results.
"Who knows, this might be a good result when we look back on it. You just don't know in terms of the league overall.
"But hats off to the boys, they gave us everything. They just lacked quality.
"There was a lack of quality in the final third. It wasn't through a lack of effort. We were trying to do it, but I think we could have played until the end of the month and still not scored.
"We need to take the positives that we've taken a point and we are still unbeaten, which is good, but we need to be better."
Late chances and next fixtures
Chances were few and far between in Methil, but a late flurry of action saw Accies goalkeeper Dean Lyness produce a fine save to tip a Jaiden Fairley strike over the bar, while Hamilton's Stephen Bradley headed over the bar from a Stephen Hendrie cross.
Reflecting on the game, midfielder Hendrie said: "Coming up here we knew it was going to be a difficult game.
"We have been here before and we know what they are like, they make it tough.
"But we need to take the positives from the game, take the clean sheet and go again.
"I don't think anyone did enough to win the game. I don't think there were any clear-cut chances in the game. On another day, we maybe get a goal but we just have to take the point."
Accies are back in league action on Saturday when they host Cove Rangers but before that they play Edinburgh City tonight in the latest group game of the KDM Evolution Trophy.
