Maroon memories: Murray shows his mettle to see off bustling Bairns

Hearts 1-0 FalkirkApril 15, 1972

It goes without saying that after fighting hard enough to have deserved a precious point, Falkirk were bitterly disappointed when Tommy Murray gave Hearts an unconvincing win by scoring the only goal from the penalty spot with just five minutes remaining.

The news that Clyde had picked up a crucial point against opposition which might have been expected to push them nearer the brink completed an unhappy afternoon for a team which had hoped to end its worries at Tynecastle.

Probably they would have done if Kenny Garland, the young man who had shone as a penalty-stopper in his reserve days, had not pulled out a great save when Alex Ferguson tried his luck from the spot early in the game.

If it was any consolation for manager Willie Cunningham, his players certainly did not perform like relegation candidates - but the Bairns contingent would swap sympathy for a pivotal point any day given their anxious positiom.

Only the result was satisfactory for Hearts, whose display in front of goal underlined the urgency to search for new additions to the squad and new formations anticipated by manager Bobby Seith in his comments for the forthcoming summer tour.

Once again the defence, with Garland in outstanding form, was adequate enough, but there was a depressing lack of cutting edge in attack. Derek Renton had one fine header dramatically saved by Gregor Abel, but the general pattern of play was not encouraging for the Jambos.

Though Murray's penalty success made sure of the three points, it would have been a disappointing moment for Donald Ford, still in search of the goal he needed to restore his confidence, when he was brought down by Ferguson in a good scoring position.

The centre-forward had worked tirelessly to regain his old form since returning after the road accident which gave him a shake. He celebrated his comeback with a brilliant goal against Clydebank in the Scottish Cup but has not been on target otherwise since the end of January.

A goal for Donald instead of a penalty would have done him the world of good - but at least it was his quick counter which made victory possible.