The lack of celebration was as much down to his goal proving no more than a consolation as it was a desire not to upset the Falkirk fans who used to worship him.
However, Dunfermline striker Farid El Alagui could be forgiven for being left with the sensation that he deserved better on his return to his old club at the weekend.
The 31-year-old made his first start for the Pars – and just his second in 18 months – as he built more of a convincing case that his injury problems are firmly in the past.
A fourth goal in as many games and an encouraging display will have cheered the French-Moroccan, who is thankful for the opportunity to kick-start a career badly stalled by a ruptured achilles tendon and a series of niggling injuries during the previous two seasons with Hibernian.
Given the happy memories the former Dundee United loan marksman retains from his season knocking in 28 goals for the Bairns, there was more than just a dispiriting defeat to take the shine off his personal exploits.
He said: “Going back to Falkirk was a special game for me and a special stadium with some great memories.
“But obviously I have mixed feelings. Scoring the goal was great but when it counts for nothing it doesn’t make it as sweet as it would have been.
“So, I’m a little bit gutted, because at times I thought we played well but we conceded two goals too easily and when you’re 2-0 it’s really hard to come back.
“I’m just happy to play football again, to be honest. Dunfermline gave me a chance. It was hard after my injuries for clubs to give me a chance and I have to be grateful for that.”
The Fifers, seeking just a third league win of the season, settled well amidst an electric atmosphere and enjoyed half-chances for El Alagui, Andy Geggan and Kallum Higginbotham, another former Bairn.
But the crucial first goal fell to the home side in the 27th minute when Craig Sibbald raced onto John Baird’s chipped pass to poke his shot past the onrushing Sean Murdoch.
Falkirk then threatened a second and it came just eight minutes after the break when Myles Hippolyte cut inside from his left-wing beat and drilled a 20-yard drive beyond Murdoch.
The Bairns had further opportunities to put the game out of Dunfermline’s reach but suffered a nervy finale after El Alagui pounced on David Hokirk’s deflected shot to round Danny Rogers for his 75th-minute counter.
However, substitute Gavin Reilly could not force in Lee Ashcroft’s downward header and Geggan fired wildly past when he should have done better from 25 yards.
