The diminutive and fresh-faced figure of Ali Crawford can be misleading.

A first glance at the slight midfielder and you could be forgiven for thinking the Hamilton Accies stalwart was far shy of his 25 years on this earth.

You’d also probably not guess that the man from Carluke has already spent a decade in red and white, tormenting defences, influencing football matches and ultimately proving his doubters wrong.

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In Monday night’s 3-3 draw with Hearts, it was a significant evening for Crawford. A stunning 25-yard free-kick may have caught the attention as well as pull Accies level at 1-1, but the fixture itself would stand as a landmark moment.

“It feels like I have been here forever,” admitted Crawford following his 200th Hamilton appearance.

“To get 200 games is great for me and to get a goal too was good but unfortunately it wasn’t a win for us.

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“I was 15 when I came to Hamilton when I got let got by Hearts because they said I was too small.

“Although you look at their team on Monday and it was full of big people.

“I don’t think my height has held me back. I felt I went out and expressed myself on Monday night and hopefully bigger things will come.”

What the 5ft 8in forward may lack in height he more than makes up for in a reputation which continues to rise.

Crawford was at the heart of most of Accies’ good play on Monday night. Apart from his terrific set-piece delivery, his ability to twist away from trouble, create space and play pin-point passes leaves it a bit of a mystery nobody has attempted to steal him away before now.

Even in the rough and tumble world of the Ladbrokes Premiership Crawford has been able to hold down his own, a fact that will surely stand him in good stead if he departs before his 300th Acces game.

He said: “I feel I should be going better in terms of goals and scoring more will boost my confidence and enhance my reputation.”

Another player hoping for a similar boost will be Rakish Bingham.

The former Hartlepool player netted his first two goals for Hamilton on Monday night that initially gave the SuperSeal Stadium side a 3-1 lead before Hearts pegged them back late on.

For Bingham, it was a relief to finally get off the mark at a club he desparately wants to embrace. Years bouncing around various clubs – including Falkirk – have failed to bring a contentment that he hopes has been discovered in South Lanarkshire.

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“From my own point of view, I just wanted to get off the mark. Now I’m off the mark, I know confidence is also what I needed,” said the 23-year-old striker.

“It’s not that I was lacking it, but goals bring even more of it. Now I can kick on and hopefully score many more goals for Hamilton.

“It’s crazy because I felt at home within the first two weeks of coming here. It’s a real family club.

“I settled in straight away. We have a great bunch of lads. Now I’m here for another two years and I’m happy to be here.

“I’ve never settled this quickly anywhere else. It’s quite weird, but I really feel at home here.”