Scorers: Bradley (34), MacDonald (54) and Henderson (86)
Well-taken goals either side of the half time interval helped Hamilton Academical to victory at Stair Park.
Stranraer came into the game hopeful of building on promising performances – but, ultimately, defeats – against Ross County and Raith Rovers.
Instead, they found it a step too far as their Championship opposition came out on top.
Manager Scott Agnew made two changes from the game in Kirkcaldy, with Adam Cummins and goalscorer Elliot Dunlop coming into the team in place of Craig Ross and Matty Grant, who were named among the substitutes.
Stranraer have been slow starters in the first two games, conceding inside the first six minutes in both.
And history almost repeated itself when Kevin O’Hara fired into the side netting when well placed.
Despite that early scare, Stranraer enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening half hour and forced a number of chances.
Unfortunately, they failed to really work goalkeeper Dean Lyness, with an off target Dean Hawkshaw free-kick the closest they came.
Instead, the visitors managed to see off that pressure and finished the half on top.
Jacob Pazikas was called into action on the half hour mark when he got down smartly to push an Oli Shaw effort round the post.
He could do nothing about the opener though, which came about after Stranraer surrendered possession in midfield.
It quickly became clear Stranraer were stretched and Shaw managed to work the ball to substitute Steven Bradley, who fired home.
Ten minutes after the restart and that lead was doubled with Bradley again at the heart of it.
This time, he was the provider in sliding a great ball through the heart of the home defence.
Kyle MacDonald stormed through and confidently finished past the helpless Stranraer number one.
It was a goal that put the game to bed but Stranraer continued to push in the hope of getting back into the contest.
Dunlop fired off target before Stranraer were presented with a good chance.
A wayward clearance fell invitingly for Ryan Edgar and the substitute got plenty behind it but Lyness managed to make the block.
Fellow substitute Tom Orr also tested the goalkeeper with a downwards header but Hamilton comfortably held on.
And they wrapped up the scoring five minutes from time when Pazikas’ clearance fell straight to the feet of Euan Henderson, who curled the ball home into the empty net from fully 40 yards.
Attention now turns to a trip to Forthbank Stadium and a better indication of Stranraer’s chances for the season.
Stranraer: Pazikas, Ecrepont (McKnight 39), Cummins, McQueen, McIntosh, Brindley, Gallagher (Hughes 67), Russell (Grant 56), Hawkshaw (Orr 67), Dunlop, Lang (Edgar 56).
Not used: Adam, Robertson, Ross and Broun.
Hamilton Academical: Lyness, Hendrie (Newbury 46), McGinty, Kilday, MacDonald, Barjonas (Morgan 87), Maguire, Henderson, Williamson (Bradley 29), O’Hara (Murray 61), Shaw (Todorov 60).
Not used: Martin, Neeson, Tumilty and Albinson.
Referee: Peter Stuart
Attendance: 438
HT: 0-1
Photos: Bill McCandlish
