But Grainger snatched a win for Derek McInnes's team when his free-kick evaded the Accies defence and goalkeeper Tomas Cerny.
Fellow director John Ruddy said the club had interviewed 30 candidates, and dismissed speculation it had approached St Johnstone's Derek McInnes.
BBC: SPORT | Football | My Club | Clyde | Clyde closing in on new manager
Manager Derek McInnes has brought in six new players and may add one or two more before the close of the transfer window.
St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes handed a debut to new signing Michael Duberry, with on-loan Bolton youngster Mark Connolly a place on the bench.
Jennison Myrie-Williams made his St Johnstone debut as Derek McInnes made six changes in a bid to register the Perth side's first league win of the season.
The instruction to the St Johnstone players from manager Derek McInnes must surely have been to play the match at a high tempo and deny the hosts time on the ball.
Accies were unchanged from last week's draw at St Mirren, while Saints boss Derek McInnes made one change for the trip to Lanarkshire, with fit-again midfielder Murray Davidson in for Jody Morris.
St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes would have been dismayed to lose Kevin Moon, who was stretchered off in 54 minutes after a challenge by Mark Kerr, to be replaced by Filipe Morais.
The St Johnstone players were furious the goal was allowed to stand, believing Russell to have been offside, and visiting manger Derek McInnes was sent to the stand after coming out of his technical area.
It was a night for the debutants as St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes gave Lithuanian winger Arvydas Novikovas his first start, but the loan player from Hearts was replaced by Alan Maybury at the beginning of the second half.
应用推荐