Dundee Utd
On The Bench
Hamilton
On The Bench
Barry Robson crossed twice for the Irishman to head United in to a two-goal lead but his second in 77 minutes was countered by a Richard Offiong penalty two minutes later.
However, five minutes from the end Hunt slotted home from close range from another Robson assist to finish off the First Division leaders.
It was a comfortable win for the Scottish Premier League side in the end but Accies can be commended for making a fight of it in the second half after they looked to be on their way to a thrashing at the interval.
It was one-way traffic from the first whistle.
Jordan Robertson's cross from the left in the second minute surprised Accies goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell, the ball crashing off the near post.
The Tannadice side piled forward and moments later Accies left-back Brian Easton took a Hunt cross off the head of Robson as the Scotland midfielder ghosted in at the back post.
Then, in the ninth minute, United midfielder Morgaro Gomis sidefooted a 25-yard shot off the underside of the crossbar, Robertson ruled offside as he attacked the rebound.
A minute later the Tannadice side were ahead. Robson's deep cross from the right was met at the back post by Hunt who, from almost on the byline, looped his header over Halliwell and into the far corner of net.
United's busy playmaker Willo Flood then had a deflected effort from the edge of the box saved by Halliwell as United threatened to bury the visitors.
Accies produced their best bit of football in the 27th minute when James McArthur volleyed a Mark Gilhaney cross just over the bar from 25 yards out.
However, in the 35th minute United again squandered a chance to double their lead.
Hunt's cross from the left found Robson charging in unmarked from the right but his unconvincing header from eight yards went wide of the far post.
Just before the break, after a short headed backpass from Lee Wilkie, United keeper Grzegorz Szamotulski was called upon to make a save at his near post from Accies striker Offiong.
The visitors came out in more determined mood after the break but an initial burst of pressure gave way to a lull in the match.
The zip had gone from United's play but while they spluttered to get going again, they still looked a cut above their opponents.
However, in the 56th minute, as Accies began to press with confidence for the first time, Robson's casual pass was blocked by Gilhaney straight in to the path of Offiong but the big striker failed to pull the ball out of the air 10 yards out and the chance was gone.
Just after the hour mark United stopper Darren Dods headed Robson's corner from the left over the bar for the home side's first effort of the second half.
Moments after referee Mike McCurry ignored penalty appeals when the ball appeared to strike Flood's hand in his box, Accies defender Chris Swailes swung wildly at chance 10 yards out and the ball flew over the bar.
In the 77th minute the home side doubled their lead when Hunt headed past Halliwell from close range from yet another Robson cross.
United looked to have put the tie beyond doubt - but two minutes later their lead was halved.
Accies were awarded a penalty when substitute Brian Wake's cross handled by Prince Bauben, Offiong sending Szamotulski the wrong way from the spot to set up a tense finish.
But five minutes from the end Robson again set Hunt up and the Irishman slammed home his hat-trick from six yards out.
