THE WINNER SPL - WE MUST BE DOING WELL ..EVERYBODY HATES US

FALKIRK 1

HEARTS 2

CRAIG GORDON knows Hearts are on the verge of something special because the rest of the SPL are starting to despise them.

Vladimir Romanov could deliver the keynote speech at the next AGM of the Managers' and Coaches' Association and still get a better reception than his team received at Westfield.

The Tynecastle owner could even drop in on Andy Webster - suspiciously left out of the side with a stomach bug or flu depending on who you listened to - and still receive a warmer welcome than his side were afforded.

The Bairns players can't half put it about on the field and their punters know how to dish it out as well.

John Hughes' team haven't won at home in the SPL all season and you can bet part of the reason is the impatience that sweeps off their main stand with the ferocity of the biting wind that howls up from the Forth.

This time, though, they laid off their own players to lay into Gordon and Co, taking their lead from a team that wasn't confident of defeating Hearts at football so decided to draw them into a scrap instead.

It nearly paid off with Paddy Cregg and Liam Craig stomping in furious temper around the midfield in a game that saw eight players booked and Steven Pressley and Robbie Neilson retired injured.

Mind you, Hearts weren't exactly holding back either with Julien Brel-lier deployed as enforcer, a role he gleefully accepted with a menacing glint in his eye.

Meanwhile, Rudi Skacel, involved in verbals in the tunnel afterwards, was happy to roll over under the slightest contact before fading into mediocrity

Hearts fans must pray Neil McCann returns to fitness soon so the off-form Czech can take the breather he needs and has earned.

All in all, the game was as ugly as the view from the back of the main stand.

Grangemouth's refineries belched fire into the air as goals from Paul Hartley and Edgar as Jankauskas breathed even more life into the Jambos' challenge for a Champions League place next season.

Gordon said: "The fact opposition fans don't like some of our players shows we're doing well.

"Teams also want to raise their game to beat us. We're not exactly adopting the motto, 'Everyone hates us, we don't care' to motivate us but if we can use it to our advantage we will.

"It was a fighting performance from us after the week we've had but it was never going to be pretty because it was abobbly pitch and Falkirk were right up for the game.

"A lot of people were looking for us to fall flat on our faces but we rose to the occasion and we'll try to do it again next week against Hibs in the Scottish Cup." If Romanov wasn't happy with the way the team were playing under Graham Rix, God knows what he thought of the action as he looked on from the stand in Valdas Ivanauskas' first game in charge.

It is assumed the VI the Lithuanian coach has on his training gear stands for his initials and aren't the Roman numerals for the number of bosses Romanov has gone through since he took control of the club little more than a year ago.

Of the few highlights a scrappy game provided, the pick came in the first half. Skacel had a shot blocked by the Bairns' debut keeper Mark Howard. The midfielder later crossed for Hartley to bundle in the opener.

Falkirk equalised after an Alan Gow free-kick was handled in the wall by Roman Bednar. Gordon stopped the shot but Gow reacted quickly to slot the rebound over the line.

A stalemate looked the likeliest outcome until Ivanauskas made an astute substitution, hooking Skacel and bringing on Calum Elliot.

The young Scot combined with Jankauskas to allow the former Porto frontman to knock the ball past Howard with the help of a deflection off the despairing lunge of Jack Ross.

It was the first football Hearts had played in the second half. And despite their impressive physical presence it served as a reminder they really are a better side when they stick to doing what they know best.

Three months ago Ivanauskas was watching games from the directors' box but this time he was on the pitch at the end, punching the air and saluting the travelling support.

Gordon admitted change is now being seen as the norm by the Hearts players. He said: "We're starting to get used to all this now, immune almost, because these things happen on such aregular basis.

"Only time will tell if another change of manager will have an effect on us. We're a tight knit bunch and share the common goal of success this season. Valdas is a winner who is strong on discipline but we're almost at a point in the campaign where a coach is irrelevant.

"As a group, we're so desperate to get over the finishing line, to grasp that Champions League spot and win the Scottish Cup.

"It's so close now that no matter what goes on in the background we're fully focused on the targets we want to reach for this football club."

As for Falkirk, they sorely lack a creative force in midfield now Russell Latapy's legs are on the wane. And Gow is being asked to carry too much responsibility in a powderpuff attack.

Boss Hughes said: "We're the youngest team in the SPL and the boys deserve credit for the way they competed. I feel for them. They were tenacious and stood up to the physical presence of Hearts but in the end we beat ourselves with the goals we lost.

"I've got to keep cuddling my boys. Even if I do have to have a go from time to time I'll always be there to pick them up."

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jean Lecsinel (Falkirk)

WINNER SNAPPERS

Craig Halkett, Rob Casey, Derek Blair, Tony Nicoletti, Bill Fleming, Richard Parker, Trevor Martin, Alan Richardson, Newsline, John Paul, George McLuskie, David Lamb, PPA. SNS, David Johnstone, Getty, PA, AP, EPA, Reuters.

MATCH STATS

POSSESSION

51% 49%

SHOTS ON TARGET

3 3

SHOTS OFF TARGET

3 1

CORNERS

10 1

FOULS CONCEDED

21 19

OFFSIDES

5 19

FALKIRK

MAN BY MAN

Mark Howard:Confident and assured on his debut and was helpless at both goals. 7

Jack Ross: The opener apart, he had Rudi Skacel well under control. 7

Karl Dodd: Stood up well to the physical threat of Jankauskas and Bednar in attack. 7

Jean Lecsinel: Strolled through the game from centre of defence. 8

Marc Twaddle: Showed up well on left and was never afraid to push forward. 7

Tiago: Sloppy pass allowed Hearts to snatch the match late on. 5

Liam Craig: Former Jambos kid's play occasionally spilled over to reckless, but was dangerous on the left. 6

Patrick Cregg: The midfielder snarler also showed flashes of skill going forward. 6

Steven Thomson: Skipper was a hive of midfield activity. 6

Pedro Moutinho: Short of confidence and rarely held up play. 5

Alan Gow: Worked hard but too often starved of service. 6

Subs: Russell Latapy - Unable to spark Bairns into life as Moutinho replacement, 3. Stephen O'Donnell - On for Craig, but no real impact, 2. Craig McPherson - Late swap for Twaddle, 2.

HEARTS

MAN BY MAN

Craig Gordon: Unlucky with penalty but, one bad kick apart, always assured. 7

Robbie Neilson: Steady performance from full-back. 6

Steven Pressley: In the wars with knee injury and concussion before being replaced at the interval. 5

Jose Goncalves: Strong, confident and assured performer in centre of defence. 8

Takis Fyssas: Squandered a couple of forward chances, but defensively sound. 5

Julien Brellier: Rare off day for French midfielder. Whatever will Romanov say? 5

Paul Hartley: Took a gamble for the opener and it paid off. 7

Deividas Cesnauskis: Fairly anonymous contribution from winger. 5

Rudi Skacel: Decent assist for opener, but more petulance than performance. 5

Roman Bednar: Put himself about well, but opportunities few and far between. 6

Edgaras Jankauskas: Linked well for winner, but there must be more to come. 6

Subs: Christophe Berra - On for Pressley and settled well, 5. Calum Elliot - Immediate impact after taking over from Skacel with assist for winner, 6. Martin Petras - Late replacement for injured Neilson, 3.

MOMENT THAT CHANGED THE GAME: Edgaras Jankauskas hitting the Bairns on the break with eight minutes left to net the winner.

Taken from the Daily Record