The start couldn't have been better for Malton, as within nine minutes they had raced in to a two goal lead courtesy of Ryan Cooper and Neil Wilford.

Dean Readman's telling free-kick saw Cooper arrive unchallenged in the six-yard box to head home after only six minutes.

Things got even better for the visitors when Jamie Shepherd's quick throw found Dave Bell in space with his back to goal.

He soon breezed past two men to lay the ball in to Wilford's path, his shot from just inside the area finding the bottom corner.

Hamilton came storming back on 14 minutes when Elliot Taylor and Callum Scott failed to get a tackle in down the left wing, the driven cross picking out Mark Woodward who fired home past Paul Robinson.

Within five minutes the scores were level when once again Malton went to ground instead of holding up play, the shot going across Robinson to sneak inside his left-hand post.

With a strong breeze at their backs Hamilton snatched the lead when an in-swinging corner was headed home off the underside of the bar on 58 minutes.

Worse was to follow three minutes later when another corner was headed home, this time it was the unmarked Craig McShane who profited from more woeful defending.

Malton were dealt a massive blow three minutes later when a sickening challenge by Woodward on Robinson saw the big keeper sustain a nasty nose injury that left him concussed and the game held up for 10 minutes.

Taylor took over in goal and Paul Scaling was introduced as Malton went three at the back in a last ditch effort to get something out of the game.

Jack Thackray and Wilford gave Bell the perfect chance with 15 minutes remaining but his shot was dragged wide from 12 yards.

An even better chance fell to Bell moments later as Scaling stepped aside to let him through on goal, but a poor first touch saw the ball run away from him to a grateful home keeper.

Malton will be looking to bounce back straight away this week when they entertain York St John's College in another important league fixture.