DRAW FELT LIKE A WIN FOR BURLEY

Hearts manager George Burley admits his side's dramatic 2-2 draw at Falkirk felt like a victory despite seeing his 100% start to the season come to an end.

The Edinburgh club were looking for a ninth consecutive Bank of Scotland Premier League win, but could only scrape a last-gasp point in a remarkable match.

Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon was sent off in the first half for a professional foul on Falkirk striker Darryl Duffy who opened the scoring from the spot against substitute Steve Banks.

And, when Jambos' captain Steven Pressley put through his own goal in the 68th minute, the Edinburgh side looked to be on their way to their first SPL defeat of the season.

However, Pressley quickly reduced the deficit at the other end before grabbing the equaliser in the first minute of injury time to keep Hearts three points clear of Celtic at the top of the table.

Burley said: "It does seem like a win. When you are 2-0 down away from home, then anything is a bonus so I'm very pleased.

"Things in football can go against you and there were a number of things which went against us.

"We conceded a penalty, lost our goalkeeper, Julien Brellier was injured and their second goal was a complete fluke. So you think it's maybe not going to be our day.

"But what can I say about the character, spirit, energy and desire of the players?

"I thought we were the better team in the second half and thoroughly deserved our point."

But Burley insists the club will not be appealing against the 25th-minute dismissal of Gordon, who will now miss the trip to Celtic on October 15.

The Scotland international brought down Duffy inside the area, although the Bairns' forward appeared to be heading away from goal.

Burley added: "We have no complaints about the sending off. That is what happens when the keeper is the last man."

Hearts captain Steven Pressley admitted there could be no complaints about the dismissal of goalkeeper Gordon during the 2-2 draw.

Pressley told BBC Scotland: "It was a bizarre hat-trick but it is all about how you react to disappointments and we did so in the best possible manner.

"We were 2-0 down, with question marks over us today, and we reacted in a truly magnificent manner, showing tremendous spirit against a very good Falkirk side.

"I don't think Craig has any complaints about the sending off. The rules are, if you are the last man and you impede your opponent, you have to take the consequences.

"So we have no complaints in that department.

"Obviously, we are disappointed for Craig because he has had a fantastic run in the side.

"He has played around 102 or 103 consecutive games so it will be disappointing for him.

"But we have a very able and experienced deputy in Steve Banks, who is a very good goalkeeper."

Falkirk head coach John Hughes believes the dismissal of goalkeepers should be dealt with in a different manner.

Hughes said: "The sending off spoiled the game. I would like to see the referee show a red card, but the keeper stays on the park and deal with it later.

"That would be good for the game, although I don't think it would ever happen.

"It gave us an advantage and we took it. If we could have held on for another five minutes after scoring the second goal, we would have gone on to score another.

"But they got a goal back and, unfortunately for us, they went on to get the equaliser a couple of minutes from time."

However, the former Hibernian defender concedes a lack of self-belief ultimately cost his team all three points.

Hughes added: "I sensed it was coming and that's because of a lack of collective self-belief.

"I told the players they are allowed to beat Hearts at Falkirk and Tynecastle - they're allowed to beat the big boys.

"It's not acceptable to think that, because we are Falkirk Football Club, we can't beat them, but that belief has to come from within.

"We didn't pass the ball in the second half and that is why Hearts got at us.

"But I'm disappointed for the players who put so much effort into the game but only came away with a point - they deserved more than that. But all credit to Hearts for their battling qualities."

Taken from sportinglife.com