Hibee history: Baker quick off the mark in return for Hibs

JOE BAKER bounced back to First Division football after a three month lay-off with a brilliantly taken winning goal at Brockville. He dived full-length to head a John Hamilton centre into the net for a goal as spectacular as it was controversial, but when the furore had died down, it meant that Hibs had beaten Falkirk 3-2.

Was Hamilton offside? It seemed as if the linesman opposite the stand had half-raised his flag and then dropped it and that's why the Falkirk team converged on him like a pack of angry wolves. There was a consultation between referee Macdonald and his assistant and the goal stood.

But Falkirk's annoyance did not end at their bitter protest. Denis Setterington was booked and Alex Ferguson was sent off in a brief passage of fury.

Baker's view of the affair was strictly professional. "It was my job to play the ball and I dived at Hammy's cross.

"I didn't see any flag, but my eyes were on the ball. Anyway, the goal will count in my pay packet!"

Considering he had played in only one reserve game this was a cracking comeback. He laid on Alan Gordon's goal on the hour and then knocked in the third one.

These followed Hamilton's ten-second opener, which was one of the quickest goals of this or any season.

Doug Somner and Ferguson twice pulled Falkirk level in what was a thrill-packed game, but also a bad-tempered feud that slipped out of referee Macdonald's control

He was much too lenient towards tough tackles in the first half and his first booking (Tom Young of Falkirk) came far too late in the day. On a tight, muddy pitch the players had neither space nor time to elaborate.

One felt the teams were almost snarling at each other, such was the competitive nature of the game.

It was easy to understand the post-match attitude of the two managers. There was Falkirk boss Willie Cunningham, angry at losing to a disputed goal and worried by the fact that his team had been dragged into the relegation area. However, they'll get clear comfortably.

Hibs chief, Eddie Turnbull, regarded it as a very useful win and stated: "Two very good points!"