Bairns slay invincibles as Hearts' streak finally comes to thrilling end
IN a league containing fallen giants Rangers and bitter city foes Hibs, you would not have tipped Falkirk to be the team to end the last unbeaten run in Britain.
Yet Peter Houston’s side outfought, outpassed and, for large swathes of this thrilling encounter, outplayed a dispirited Hearts team who could have moved 16 points clear at the top.
You could not even accuse them of being rusty after their Ibrox showdown was snowed off last Friday. Hearts exploded out of the blocks and were ahead after just two minutes through Genero Zeefuik.
But they went missing after that. Jordan McGhee’s clumsy foul let Falkirk back in from the penalty spot and only when Rory Loy had fired the Bairns ahead did a packed Tynecastle witness the Jambos’ true prowess — Robbie Neilson’s side hauling themselves level through substitute James Keatings.
It appeared as if this would merely be a minor blip in Hearts’ title charge. Craig Sibbald had other ideas, slamming home a fine strike 10 minutes from time to write himself — and his team — into the history books.
Hearts remain 13 points clear of Rangers — whose clash with Cowdenbeath was frozen off — but Falkirk’s heroics will surely galvanise those of an Ibrox persuasion into believing they might just achieve the impossible come May.
Indeed, all the pre-match patter was of Hearts’ desire to put Rangers out of sight. But Falkirk would prove to be no pushovers. Houston — a former mentor of Neilson’s in the Hearts youth setup 20 years ago — saw his side physically intimidate the leaders when the teams met in November, coming agonisingly close to snatching a draw.
Perhaps with that in mind, Neilson plumped for a direct 4-4-2, replacing the suspended Alim Ozturk with returning forward Osman Sow. With the big Swede — who scored eight goals before suffering injury in October — partnering the beastly Zeefuik up top, this was about as direct as you could get.
It took Zeefuik just 90 seconds to make his mark. Holding off a strong challenge in the middle of the park, the Dutchman turned and fed his strike partner wide on the left flank. Sow darted to the byeline and pulled back for the on-loan forward, who applied a powerful finish into the bottom-right corner.
So enthused by his first Gorgie goal, Zeefuik was booked for celebrating with the home faithful.
Yet their momentum was interrupted on 13 minutes when Falkirk winger Sibbald looped a free-kick across the six-yard line. The ball fell to Peter Grant, unmarked at the back stick, but the Bairns defender somehow blazed over.
From the resulting goal-kick, Hearts almost snatched a second when Sow’s delicious through pass sent Sam Nicholson scampering between the Bairns’ centre-halves. The winger overcooked his touch, however, and dragged his left-foot shot past the upright.
After that, Falkirk seized the initiative as Loy drew a smart block on to the bar from Neil Alexander with a close-range shot.
The visitors began to camp in Hearts’ half — albeit without finding a cutting edge.
They were rewarded for their dominance with a penalty just after half an hour when Loy raced along the edge of the box and was felled by McGhee. John Baird slammed the spot-kick high i nto the net to deservedly pull Falkirk level.
Hearts still seemed sluggish after the restart and were promptly punished. Just as he did to win the penalty, Loy danced across the 18-yard box. This time McGhee failed to challenge the striker, who unleashed a superb, curling effort into the top corner.
Finally, Hearts sparked to life. Tynecastle erupted in rage when Sow appeared to be floored by Grant in the box, only for the referee to wave away any penalty claims.
Bairns keeper Jamie MacDonald then pulled off a stunning stop to deny Nicholson nodding in from point-blank range.
Hearts were playing like a team whose unbeaten record was on the line. Nicholson whipped in a corner which skipper Danny Wilson glanced agonisingly wide.
Neilson rolled the dice. Sow was hauled off for Keatings — Hearts’ stand-in goalscorer in recent weeks. With the tension mounting, even he stumbled over his feet when sent clear.
Yet moments later Tynecastle could breathe easily. Bauben fed Zeefuik, who laid off beautifully to Keatings in the area. This time, he made no mistake.
Hearts chairwoman Ann Budge glanced a nervous smile of relief to a colleague in the directors’ box. But it was a tad premature. As Hearts went in search of a winner, Falkirk broke in numbers. Sibbald collected the ball midway through the hosts’ half and weaved into the box, unleashing a fine effort — slaying the invincibles.