Kelty Hearts striker Nathan Austin has blasted a racist Albion Rovers fan who he claims called him a 'monkey' during a 3-0 League Two win at Cliftonhill this afternoon.
Austin claimed the match ball by scoring all of the visitors' goals, but says a comment was directed at him from the home end at the Coatbridge stadium.
Albion Rovers supporter group Coatbridge Boys have now said a member was responsible and has now been removed from their group.
Boss Kevin Thomson has backed his striker on social media, with Austin also commenting this evening.
Austin said: "A perfect hat-trick tarnished by an Albion fan calling me a monkey, but I guess that's the world we live in.
"Enjoy your Saturday, folks, cos I will."
A statement from Coatbridge Boys Club on Twitter read: "Today one of Kelty Hearts players Nathan Austin was racially abused by a member of our group.
"Since then the person has owned up to it and has been removed from our group, we would like to apologise to Nathan and Kelty Hearts.
"Coatbridge Boys stand against racism."
Earlier, Kelty Hearts released the following statement: "We are aware of an incident of racist abuse during our match against Albion Rovers FC today.
"It came from an individual in the home end terracing towards one of our players.
"An investigation is underway with our friends from Albion Rovers FC who gave all at our club a fantastic welcome on our first visit to Cliftonhill.
"Kelty Hearts Football Club shall support all of our players and members fully against racism of any kind, we strongly condemn racism and are totally committed to the elimination of all forms of discrimination."
The incident comes in the same week that Airdrie's Rico Quitongo claimed he was racially abused by one of his own fans.
Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.
