[DavidMc]

Falkirk 1-1 Kilmarnock
Saturday 20th October 07
Scottish Premier League

Falkirk and Kilmarnock had to settle for a share of the spoils after an entertaining match at Falkirk Stadium.
The hosts got off to a dream start after two minutes when Carl Finnigan drove home from close range from Scott Arfield's cross.

Kilmarnock equalised in the 10th minute when Frazer Wright found the net with a powerful header.

The visitors looked the more likely to score after the break but could not find a winning goal.

Falkirk were looking for their first victory over Kilmarnock in 10 meetings.

The Bairns had to make do without Jack Ross and manager John Hughes made sweeping changes following two straight 4-2 defeats.

Russell Latapy, Tam Scobbie, Pedro Moutinho and Arnau Riera dropped out, and were replaced by Gerard Aafjes, Steven Thomson, Graham Barrett and Carl Finnigan.

Kilmarnock included new signing Mehdi Taouil among their substitutes and handed starting roles to Gary Wales and Danny Invincibile after injuries.

John Hughes' side scored within two minutes when Finnigan powered home Arfield's cross.

Kilmarnock equalised in the 10th minute when Wright rose powerfully to head home Willie Gibson's cross.

The visitors almost took the lead when Danny Invincibile hit the post with a powerful shot.

The Australian cut in from the right and played a one-two with Nish on the edge of the area before curling a shot which beat Falkirk goalkeeper Tim Krul's despairing dive, but cannoned back off the post.

Finnigan's weak header from Dean Holden's cross and Graham Barrett's blocked effort were the hosts' best efforts to double their tally before the break.

Kilmarnock were the more dangerous side after the break but could not find a winning goal as both sides settled for a point.

The visitors introduced new signing Mehdi Taouil for the last five minutes in place of Colin Nish but the Moroccan was given little chance to impress.

Gary Locke's shot late-on was the closes Kilmarnock came to claiming three points.



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Falkirk: Krul, Holden, Milne, Barr, Aafjes, Cregg Thomson, Arfield, Higdon, Barrett, Finnigan. Subs: Olejnik, Moutinho, Latapy, Allison, Riera, Wallner, Craig.

Kilmarnock: Combe, O'Leary, Wright, Ford, Hamill Fowler, Gibson, Invincibile, Bryson, Wales, Nish. Subs: Harpur, Lilley, Locke, Skora, Koudou, Flannigan, Taouil.