Goalkeeper Robbie Mutch returns the favour for Falkirk top scorer Declan McManus

It was as good as a goal for the Bairns in maintaining the advatage over Montrose and Mutch was only too happy to bail the striker out after he gave the Bairns yet another three points thanks to his 21st of the season.

Mutch said: "To be fair to Declan it’s his natural instinct - he’s stuck his hand out. It’s a stonewall penalty but I’ve been lucky enough to bail him out. In hindsight it’s paid off, I know it’s the dirty side of the game but to be fair to Declan it’s natural instinct.

"I only had one save to make and it ended up being penalty save. My penalty record's not too bad, I had two penalty saves in the one game in the Challenge Cup earlier this season and I think my presence helps, I’m quite a big lad and I take up most of the goal.

"You get a rough idea with their run up with the way they’re going to go too. I went the right way against Hearts but the boy hit it right in the corner and this week I’ve ben lucky enough to get it. The ball was shaking about with the wind so I thought he would go safety option and get his foot round it."

The incident though means McManus is out of Saturday's trip to Clyde, but Mutch is confident he'll be watching a different Bairn finding the net from the opposite end of the pitch.

He added: "He is our top scorer and he’s a good player but we’ve got good strikers, we've got David McMillan ready to come on and work his socks off for the cause, and even the manager Lee.

"Every point is big, even more so after Christmas because you can see the finishing line and we’re counting down the games now. If we keep winning our games something will give. Every win is important at this stage of the season and credit to the boys for holding on."