Airdrie suffered derby humiliation as they were once again put to the sword by Hamilton's on-loan St Johnstone striker Stevie May.

May got a hat-trick and an assist as Accies ran riot against their Lanarkshire rivals, taking his personal tally against the Diamonds to 7 for the season.

Manager Jimmy Boyle made four changes to the side beaten by Morton on Saturday.

In defence, Marc Warren replaced the suspended Grant Evans while teenager Grant Drummond came in for Gregor Buchanan.

Following an impressive comeback from the bench after a long injury lay-off, Alan Cook made the starting line-up ahead of Jamie Bain, while Jordan Moore replaced Ryan Donnelly in attack.

Earlier news of Dunfermline's 15-point deduction for voluntary administration meant that Airdrie's relegation could no longer be confirmed tonight, but that failed to inspire the jaded squad as Hamilton came racing out of the blocks.

The ever-impressive May was lively from the off, and his third-minute cutback beat Robbie Thomson in the Airdrie goal, but strike partner Grant Gillespie contrived to miss the ball completely on the goal-line.

Before long the Accies had another chance to break the deadlock, this time from the penalty spot.

A break down the right hand side saw Alan Cook bodycheck his man just inside the area, and referee Willie Collum pointed to the spot. May slotted the penalty low to Thomson's right, squeezing it home despite the goalkeeper's touch.

The home side continued to dominate proceedings, and doubled their lead after Jon McShane converted May's low cross on 22 minutes.

The ponytailed hitman was back on the scoresheet himself before half-time, beating Airdrie's offside trap and calmly slotting past Thomson.

The Diamonds' only real chance of the first half fell to teen striker Liam Coogans, who did well to fight clear of the defence and get a shot away, but Hamilton keeper Cuthbert was on hand to gather.

A trio of second-half substitutions saw Airdrie gain a little more attacking possession in the second-half, with Jamie Bain and Sean Lynch both having efforts on goal, but Hamilton rarely looked troubled.

Indeed, it was the home-side who piled further misery on the Diamonds when that man May completed his hat-trick on 74 minutes.

A well-worked move through the middle saw the striker peel off to the left, and when the ball was squared to him he fired across Robbie Thomson and into the corner of the net.

Defender Mikey Devlin was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence late on, but ten-man Accies added insult to injury when substitute Eamonn Brophy completed the scoring with a minute remaining.

Stuart Mathie at New Douglas Park.

Photographs © Robert Dalzell. Click to view full size.