In September 2011, Hamilton returned to Stenhousemuir on loan.[4] He made his debut on 24 September, playing the full 90 minutes as they defeated East Fife 2–1 at Ochilview Park in the Second Division.[5] A week later he scored his first goal, a header in a 5–2 loss at Airdrie United.[6] On 19 October, his loan was extended until 24 December, the maximum 91 days.[7]
Arbroath
In 2012, Hamilton joined another Second Division team, Arbroath, and made his debut on 18 August in a 4–2 win over Ayr United at Gayfield Park.[8] His first goal for the club came on 9 February 2013, the only goal of an away victory at Albion Rovers.[9] He made 32 league appearances in his first season at Arbroath, scoring once more, an equaliser in a 4–2 win at Forfar Athletic on 30 March.[10]
In July 2013, he trialled at English club Notts County, but the transfer collapsed.[11] On 24 August, Hamilton was sent off after half an hour for conceding a penalty in an eventual 2–1 defeat at East Fife.[12] He made 35 league appearances in his second campaign at Arbroath, scoring in a 4–3 home defeat to former club Stenhousemuir on 21 September.[13]
On 29 November, Hamilton headed the opening goal away to Annan Athletic in the Scottish Cup fourth round, but it ended in a 1–1 draw;[18] ten days later he scored again in the replay, a 4–2 victory.[19] He was sent off for a second time on 14 March 2015 in a 3–0 loss at Peterhead.[20] Hamilton played 32 League One games in his only season at Brechin, and also took part with them in the play-offs for promotion to the Scottish Championship, where they lost 2–1 on aggregate to Alloa Athletic in the semi-finals.[21]
Alloa Athletic
On 21 May 2015, Hamilton became Alloa's first signing after securing their Championship status.[22] He made his debut on 25 July, playing the full 90 minutes as they won 1–0 at Highland League team Brora Rangers in the first round of the Challenge Cup.[23] On 8 August he played his first game in a professional league, a 3–1 loss away to Queen of the South.[24]
He scored his first Alloa goal on 19 September, a last-minute equaliser against Rangers at the Indodrill Stadium,[25] and added a second on 9 February 2016 to start a comeback to earn a 2–2 home draw against Greenock Morton.[26] However, Alloa were relegated at the end of the season.
Return to Arbroath
Prior to the 2016–17 season, Hamilton returned to Arbroath, now in League Two.[27] In his first match back for the Red Lichties, he scored a last-minute equaliser to earn a 1–1 draw at home to Championship club Dundee United in the group stages of the League Cup.[28] His team won promotion at the end of the season as champions.[29]
On 21 April 2018, Hamilton scored in a 2–0 home win over Airdrieonians to seal a spot in the play-offs for a potential second consecutive promotion.[30] However, they lost in the semi-finals to Dumbarton.
Personal life
Hamilton's younger brother Jack also became a footballer. A goalkeeper, he went from Stenhousemuir's academy to Hearts at the same time.[2]
Career statistics
As of match played 18 January 2020
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition