FEW would suggest that the Scottish Football League's decision in 1971-72 to replace goal average with goal difference to separate teams level on points was a bad thing, especially those fans whose maths is not their strong point.

Trying to work out - in the days before pocket calculators let alone smart phones - which side had the upper hand based on the number of goals scored divided by the number conceded could prove a major headache.

But had this change been implemented just a few seasons earlier, Scotland's oldest professional football club would have been robbed of the greatest moment in its history.

In 1965, Manchester United beat Leeds United to the old English First Division championship by just 0.69 of a goal.

It doesn't sound much but, when compared to the winning margin of Kilmarnock's sole Scottish league title success that very same season, Matt Busby's men were champions of England by a country mile.

Fifty years ago today, Killie travelled through to Tynecastle trailing league leaders Hearts by two points. A win would be enough to draw Willie Waddell's side level on points but, with an inferior goal average of 1.81 compared to the Edinburgh club's 1.91, nothing less than a 2-0 victory would be enough to take the First Division trophy to Ayrshire.

But thanks to first-half strikes from inside-right Davie Sneddon and the late Brian McIlroy, that's exactly what Kilmarnock got, securing the championship by a mere 0.042 of a goal.

"I didn't score many with my head and I thought I might miss when the ball came over to me at the far post," recalls Sneddon, who turned 29 on that momentous day - 24 April 1965.

"But Tommy McLean, who was only 17, was the best crosser I ever saw. I headed it down and big Jim Cruikshank, the Hearts goalkeeper, couldn't get to it."

Sneddon's goal in the 26th minute was followed two minutes later by a sweet left-foot finish from McIlory, which left Kilmarnock in charge of their own destiny.

Having finished runners-up to Rangers three times in the previous four seasons, however, Sir Alex Ferguson's famous phrase "squeaky bum time" doesn't come close to describing Killie's second-half nerves.

But when goalkeeper Bobby Ferguson - who had replaced the injured Campbell Forsyth for the title run-in - made a terrific save from Alan Gordon late on, Killie knew their 96-year wait to secure Scottish football's top prize was finally over.

"Willie Waddell wasn't an emotional man, but he was that day," says Sneddon. "I remember him running on to the field and jumping up in the air. He ran to me and big Frank Beattie, the captain, saying 'I don't believe it - I knew we would bloody score!'

"For me, it was a great birthday present, and it was also a great day for the town of Kilmarnock and for the team. We weren't the best side in the world talent-wise, but we were consistent and very hard to beat at home. We were also the fittest team in the league. Walter McCrae, who was also the Scotland trainer, got us in a position where we were winning more games in the last quarter because we were able to keep going."

Not only was the 1964-65 campaign memorable for Kilmarnock, it was also notable for the Old Firm, as the only season in the history of Scotland's top flight that both Celtic and Rangers have failed to finish in the top four.

Kilmarnock's victory is also remembered vividly by supporters of Hearts, albeit for very different reasons. Having scored an impressive 90 times in their previous 33 league matches, they were unable to muster the single goal in the 34th that would have secured their first title since 1960.

It is a cruel irony that the same result under the present system of goal difference would have resulted in the championship trophy heading to Tynecastle. It seems crueller still to consider that, in 1986, Alex MacDonald's men were beaten to the league title by Celtic on goal difference. On that occasion, a season decided on goal average would have seen the men in maroon celebrating.

Although he played a key role in Kilmarnock's greatest victory, Sneddon was almost barred from his own side's championship celebrations when the team bus arrived back in Ayrshire.

"I didn't live far from Rugby Park, so I got off the bus at my house so I could run in and get my wife," he says. "I went upstairs and realised she was already over there. I ran to the ground to find they'd closed both gates - the place was absolutely mobbed. A big police sergeant told me I couldn't get in and I said, 'do you not ken me?' Luckily, the penny dropped. He said, 'oh it's you Davie' and let me in."

There will presumably be no such mix-ups tonight, when the man who now has a street named in his honour arrives at the town's Park Hotel to enjoy a special meal to mark the 50th anniversary of Killie's first - and, to date, only - league title.

Sneddon, who has also served the club as manager, trainer and scout and who was awarded an MBE for his services to football last year, will be joined by fellow 1965 veterans Campbell Forsyth, Bobby Ferguson, Tommy McLean, Jackie McInally and Ronnie Hamilton.

Another Kilmarnock legend, Ray Montgomerie - captain of the club's Scottish Cup-winning side of 1997 - will be the master of ceremonies.

And, having been part of the Dundee side that won their only Scottish championship in 1962, guest speaker Craig Brown will have a good insight into exactly what the evening means to those Kilmarnock fans lucky enough to be in attendance.

"We won't see a provincial club win the league again," laments Sneddon. But, as he and his team-mates showed 50 years ago today, even the tiniest of margins can lead to ultimate glory.