Both clubs are awaiting the outcome of a Scottish Football Association investigation into the mayhem following the final whistle at New Douglas Park yesterday.

At least a dozen players were involved in the bust-up which saw Hearts pair Suso Santana, club masseur Alan Robson and unused Hamilton substitute Leon Knight effectively shown red cards by referee David Somers, who also issue a post-match red to Jambos midfielder Ian Black for insulting and abusive behaviour.

Those were on top of the on-field dismissals of Jambos captain Michael Stewart and defender Ismael Bouzid in one of the most controversial games of the season.

Accies secretary Scott Struthers, who witnessed the melee, told BBC Radio Five Live: "There was some pushing and shoving, nothing I haven't seen before."

The trouble is thought to have been sparked by a clash between Suso and Knight, with police forced to intervene as players from both sides then waded in.

Struthers added: "The whole affair has been blown out of all proportion.

"I was present throughout and the referee dealt with the incident, although he took and hour to do so, and I don't expect the matter to go further."

Strathclyde Police were today not planning any criminal charges but the SFA could yet take action.

If so, Hearts would be hit hardest after picking up their 18th red card in 18 months.

Fined a record £50,000 for poor discipline in August, with £10,000 of that suspended until January, they will almost certainly have to fork out the latter figure next month.

Another record fine may also follow when the SFA disciplinary panel meets on January 26.

Few reputations were enhanced at New Douglas Park yesterday, but James McArthur did his future prospects no harm with a superb display in front of a live television audience.

The Hamilton midfielder, who manager Billy Reid admits is destined for bigger and better things, ran the show in the first half hour, scoring his first goal for more than a year in the 2-1 win.

He said: "I need to add more goals to my game, the gaffer put me further forward.

"I tried to come in a wee touch and find these holes and I felt I did."

McArthur combined well with Mickael Antoine-Curier, who Accies are looking to buy outright before his loan deal from Dundee expires on New Year's Day.

McArthur said: "I think he's been excellent for us this season and has scored four goals, which at this point of the season is very good, especially for a club that doesn't score many goals.

"It's very important that we try to keep him, he's done excellently and leads the line very well.

"We just need to wait and see what happens at Christmas. Hopefully, we get to keep him."

Yesterday's win was only Hamilton's third of the season and first at home for almost three months.

McArthur said: "That's us joint seventh now, which is massive, especially with the poor start that we've had this season.

"We just need to keep picking up points and try to climb up that table.

"If we keep playing like that, I'm sure we'll pick up a lot of points."

McArthur claimed not to have seen the brawl, as did Hearts goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald, who replaced Janos Balogh at half-time.

"I think he had a bit of a tight hamstring," said MacDonald, who also needed treatment after being bundled into the net coming for a free-kick.

"It's just a little hole in my elbow, I got smashed in the back of the net by Mark McLaughlin. Nothing serious."

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Hearts confirmed this afternoon they would appeal Stewart's 48th-minute red card, which was shown when Somers decided he had lashed out at Accies captain Alex Neil.

Stewart will write to the SFA, providing documentary and video evidence in a bid to have the decision overturned.

He told his club's official website, www.heartsfc.co.uk: "I hope that the Scottish FA will annul the red card I received yesterday.

"I strongly believe TV evidence shows that I did not commit any act of violent conduct as reported by the referee."