"We created good chances in the first half with David Robertson, Johnny Russell and David Goodwillie and the one thing you don't want to do is give Hamilton a goal of a start," he said.
"We had every striker on our books on and when you put in the cross Shala is always capable of scoring with his head.
"I think the Hamilton fans were frustrated because their side were camped in their own half and we had to be patient but we were patient.
"I am disappointed in many ways but credit to the players for battling away against a stuffy side."