Falkirk FC

[DavidMc]

Falkirk v Inverness CT
Scottish Premier League
Wednesday 26th December 07

Falkirk defender Darren Barr serves the first of a two-match suspension when Inverness visit on Boxing Day.
That could mean a recall for Gerard Aafjes should he shake off the foot knock that kept him out of Saturday's 3-0 victory over Motherwell.

Inverness have a fully fit squad to choose from with Dennis Wyness back in contention after recovering from a hamstring injury.

And David Proctor is available again after serving a one-game ban.



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Falkirk (from): Krul, Olejnik, Ross, Holden, Aafjes, Scobbie, Milne, Riera, Thomson, Cregg, Latapy, Arfield, Moutinho, Finnigan, Higdon, Barrett, Allison, Mitchell.

Inverness (from): Fraser, Proctor, Tokely, Hastings, McCaffrey, Munro, McGuire, Black, Duncan, Rankin, McBain, Cowie, Bayne, Vigurs, Wilson, Niculae, McAllister, Wyness, Kerr, Brewster, Malkowski

.

[DavidMc]

Falkirk 2-1 Heart of Midlothian
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 29th December 07

Hearts have now won only one game in eleven after losing out to a gutsy Falkirk side.

Midfielder Ruben Palazuelos opened the scoring with a terrific header as the visitors dominated the first half.

Falkirk were a different side after the break, and levelled through Carl Finnigan's close-range finish.

The home side were now on top, and Michael Higdon's fine finish put the home side on course for victory and thrust Hearts deeper into crisis.

Hearts started brightly, and Ibrahim Tall had the first chance of the match, but his fierce volley was blocked by Bairns captain Jack Ross.

Dean Holden then went close for the home side as Falkirk countered, but his short-range effort was saved in style by Hearts keeper Steve Banks.

Hearts were on top in the early part of the game and Calum Elliott released a drive from the edge of the box which flew narrowly past the post.

Andrew Driver made a bursting run through the Falkirk defence, but with only Elliott playing up front for the visitors, there were no takers for his cross.

Tim Krul then pulled off an outstanding save from Lee Wallace's shot after the left-back had dribbled past several Falkirk defenders as Hearts turned the screw.

It was only a matter of time before Hearts took the lead and Palazuelos broke the deadlock when he bulleted home a header from seven yards out from corner.

Lone striker Elliott almost doubled Hearts' advantage with another strong drive which Krul parried away.

Elliott then laid the ball into the path of Kestutis Ivaskevicius, but the Lithuanian's shot went narrowly by the post with Krul beaten.

Falkirk could not be faulted for effort in the first half, but despite enjoying greater possession later in the half, they failed to test Banks in the Hearts goal.

The home side had the first chance of the second period, with a free-kick in a dangerous area. However, Pedro Moutinho blazed the effort well over the bar.

John Hughes' half-time team talk had obviously had an effect as Falkirk were enjoying their best period of the game, and Banks was finally forced into a save when substitute Russell Latapy fired in a drive from distance, which the Hearts keeper saved comfortably.

Falkirk were increasing the pressure on the Hearts rearguard, and Carl Finnigan equalised for the Bairns when he hammered the ball home froma range of four yards from Moutinho's corner.

Michael Higdon then turned the game on its head moments later, with a terrific turn and shot from Latapy's set-up play to put the home side ahead.

Higdon went close to adding insult to injury for Hearts with another strong shot close to the death, which Banks did well to turn round the post.

Michal Pospisil almost salvaged a point for Hearts, but his last-minute drive flew wide of Krul's post just before the full-time whistle.

[DavidMc]

Kilmarnock 0-1 Falkirk

Final score

Falkirk continued their good form with a narrow victory at Rugby Park.
Carl Finnigan scored his second goal in as many games when he headed home a Dean Holden cross on 11 minutes.

Kilmarnock pressurised the Bairns as full-time approached, but veteran Russell Latapy ensured the visitors held firm to register another SPL win.

Frazer Wright was sent off in the dying minutes for a heavy challenge on Falkirk keeper Tim Krul, who himself was red-carded for violent conduct.

Both sides wore black armbands as a mark of respect for Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell, who died last Saturday, and the crowd at Rugby Park gave a minute's applause in his honour.

Jim Jefferies welcomed back Danny Invincibile and Frazer Wright to the side. They replaced Craig Bryson and the injured Ryan O'Leary, both of whom played in the comprehensive defeat dealt by Inverness Caledonian Thistle last Saturday.

Scotland B defender Darren Barr came in for Gerard Aafjes in the Falkirk defence, and Carl Finnigan replaced striker Graham Barrett.

Kilmarnock began the match looking fairly lively but after Falkirk took the lead the home side struggled to make much of an impact in front of goal.

The Bairns' opener in the 11th minute was inspired by some confident build-up play and a fine cross by Dean Holden. Carl Finnigan nipped in front of Simon Ford and glanced a header beyond Alan Combe from eight yards.

For Finnigan, a product of Newcastle's youth academy, it was his fourth goal of the season and his second in as many matches, following his strike against Hearts last Saturday.

Killie's best spell came midway through the first half when Colin Nish headed into the arms of Tim Krul from six yards.

Then David Fernandez had a right-foot shot on the turn, but a deflection was enough to ensure it didn't have the venom to trouble Falkirk's Dutch goalkeeper.

For the second half Jim Jefferies introduced new signing Alan Morgan, arriving from Inverness on a free transfer, in place of David Fernandez in an attempt to enliven the play up front.

In 52 minutes, Krul saved well from a powerful Danny Invincible shot after the midfielder surged towards the edge of the box and sent a shot towards the bottom corner of the net.

Four minutes later the home fans were left in a state of anguish when Jamie Hamill volleyed Alan Morgan's corner over the bar from just three yards out.

Referee Iain Brines is probably used to cautioning offenders in his "normal" job as a police officer. But at Rugby Park he made three bookings in only two minutes just after the hour mark.

First, Tim Krul was booked for dissent, then Garry Hay was cautioned for a challenge on Carl Finnigan for a clumsy challenge. Moments later Finnigan found his way into Iain Brines' book when he fouled Frazer Wright.

Russell Latapy, who replaced an off-form Pedro Moutinho in the second half, was in inspirational form for Falkirk. The veteran midfielder evidently enjoys playing on surfaces as good as that on offer at Rugby Park and time after time he was the architect of the Bairns' clever play.

Frazer Wright headed just wide from six yards out in 86 minutes, having met a Gary Wales deep cross.

Kilmarnock tried desperately to grab an equaliser. Jamie Hamill had a shot saved by Tim Krul, Simon Ford had goal disallowed for offside, and then the home side had a penalty claim waved aside.

The match ended in acrimony when Frazer Wright was sent off for a foul on Tim Krul in the Falkirk goal as he followed in on a Jamie Hamill shot. The big Dutch goalkeeper, who was stretched off the pitch, was red-carded for his reaction to the challenge.

The home defeat means Kilmarnock have won only one of their last ten league matches.

For Falkirk, comfortable in possession and resolute in defence, their only defeats in 12 matches have been against Rangers and Celtic.

[DavidMc]

Falkirk v Aberdeen
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 5th January 08
New Brockville Stadium, Falkirk

Falkirk will be without suspended goalkeeper Tim Krul after his red card in their 1-0 victory at Kilmarnock.
But Bairns boss John Hughes will be able to call on the Dutch youngster for the rest of the season after extending his loan spell from Newcastle.

Aberdeen will definitely be without five players with Michael Hart, Darren Mackie, Jackie McNamara and Andrew Considine are all still out.

Zander Diamond could be backwhile Chris Maguire hopes to return to action.



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Falkirk squad: Olejnik, Andrews, Ross, Milne, Holden, Barr, Scobbie, Aafjes, Cregg, Thomson, Arfield, McBride, Latapy, Bradley, Moutinho, Barrett, Finnigan, Higdon.

Aberdeen squad: Langfield, Mair, Diamond, Touzani, Byrne, Foster, Aluko, Maguire, Nicholson, Severin, Clark, Young, Jamie Smith, de Visscher, Miller, Lovell, Jonathan Smith, Soutar.

[Doc-Bhoy]

Falkirk 0-0 Aberdeen

Ten-man Falkirk dominated this Scottish Cup dress rehearsal but found their Aberdeen opponents hard to break down.
Despite enjoying most of the possession the Bairns struggled to create any clear-cut chances for their strikers.

The home side had Scott Arfield sent-off after 53 minutes but continued to take the game to Aberdeen.

Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield denied Michael Higdon with a fingertip save and Chris Clark could have stolen a win for the Dons late on but shot wide.

Falkirk went into the first match of a league and Scottish Cup double-header against Aberdeen aiming to end a winless run against the Dons stretching back 16 games to November 1994.

And they began the game showcasing their lauded passing game on a difficult surface.

But it was Aberdeen who fashioned the first opportunity of the match in the fifth minute.

Higdon was guilty of weakly heading a long free-kick only as far as the edge of his own area.

Stand-in goalkeeper Robert Olejnik got his body behind Lee Mair's tame left-footed volley.

Falkirk weaved pretty patterns during an opening period they dominated.

But at times they were guilty of over-elaboration as they sought a way through a resolute Aberdeen defence.

Carl Finnigan did rob Lee Mair to send a cross-cum-shot wide and Higdon hit the side netting after outmuscling Zander Diamond.

Arnau Riera then sent a shot flashing wide following a poorly-cleared corner.

Full-back Jack Ross surged forward and hit a shot which Aberdeen goalkeeper Langfield did well to keep out.

The Bairns enjoyed the lion's share of possession from defence through midfield but could not create the clear-cut chances their build-up play merited.

When they finally got in behind the Dons rearguard in the 40th minute, Higdon was flagged for offside before finding the net.

Aberdeen began the second period in a positive fashion and denied Falkirk the possession they enjoyed before the interval.

Former Falkirk striker Lee Miller was granted a chance to break the deadlock in the 49th minute but his shot from Clark's pass skidded wide.

A match that had been played in a fairly timid manner then suddenly burst to life in the 53rd minute as Arfield was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Falkirk were driven on by a sense of injustice and Arfield's red card brought out an unnecessary physical side to the encounter.

Amid a flurry of bookings, Falkirk thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute.

Stand-in skipper Darren Barr left his defensive beat and was felled by Scott Severin.

However referee Eddie Smith ruled the offence took place inches outside the box and Tom Scobbie's swerving set-piece scraped the bar on its way over.

Aberdeen substitute Steve Lovell was then only inches away from connecting with Ricky Foster's cross.

And Riera drove just wide for 10-men Falkirk in the 70th minute.

The home side had the best chance of the match 10 minutes from time.

Barr broke brilliantly from defence and, after exchanging passes with Russell Latapy, threaded a pass through to Higdon who was clear on goal but Langfield touched his early shot over.

Aberdeen substitute Jeffrey de Visscher then had a shot parried by Olejnik and Clark drove the rebound wide.

Latapy's deflected effort then slipped wide as both sides sought a late winner in vain.



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Falkirk: Olejnik, Ross, Holden, Scobbie, Barr, Cregg, Arfield, Riera, Finnigan (Latapy 57), Barrett (Milne 68), Higdon (Aafjes 90). Subs Not Used: Barclay, Bradley, McBride, Mitchell.

Sent Off: Arfield (54).

Booked: Arfield.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Foster, Byrne, Diamond, Mair (De Visscher 79), Severin, Nicholson, Young (Lovell 64), Clark, Miller (Jonathan Smith 86), Jamie Smith. Subs Not Used: Soutar, Touzani, Daniel Smith, Aluko.

Booked: Mair, Jamie Smith, Clark, De Visscher.

Att: 5,457

Ref: E Smith (Scotland).

Poor attendance and a poor game.

[DavidMc]

Gretna 2-0 Falkirk
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 19th January 08
Fir Park, Motherwell

Gretna grabbed a lifeline in their relegation battle by taking three precious points at Fir Park.
The home side dominated the opening half and Kenny Deuchar rose to head home Fabian Yantorno's precise cross in the 33rd minute.

Falkirk had chances in an open encounter but Tony Caig saved their best opportunity by denying Carl Finnigan from close range.

Paul Murray doubled Gretna's lead on 50 minutes with a superb 25-yard volley.


Gretna made the early running and Gavin Skelton twice tried his luck from long range without really testing Tim Krul in the Falkirk goal.

The home side had a great chance in the 11th minute after Buscher released Deuchar down the left.

The striker cut the ball inside for Fabian Yantorno but the Uruguayan blasted over from 15 yards.

Falkirk found their feet and Kevin McBride missed a free header from 10 yards following Pedro Moutinho's cross.

McBride turned provider with a cross that Graham Barrett flung himself at, but Caig parried the header at his near post.

An entertaining game had begun to turn scrappy just before Deuchar gave Gretna a 33rd-minute lead by heading his second goal in as many games.

Yantorno crossed from the right and Deuchar rose to loop his header just inside the far corner of the net.

Caig kept Gretna ahead six minutes later with a great save from Finnigan after the striker had brushed off Aurelien Collin and attempted to lift the ball into the net from eight yards.

Barrett then headed over after Darren Barr had flicked on a McBride cross.

Gretna had an early escape after the interval when the offside flag was raised against Barrett before McBride turned the ball home.

A Deuchar shot sailed over but Paul Murray doubled the bottom club's lead with a wonderful volley in the 50th minute.

Falkirk had half-cleared when the Gretna skipper positioned himself above the bouncing ball to flash a powerful shot into the corner.

Stephen Bradley came on for his Falkirk debut in place of former Arsenal youth team-mate Cregg.

But Gretna were in control and looked the more dangerous team going forward.

Bairns boss John Hughes then took drastic measures by putting defender Kenny Milne on up front in place of Moutinho.

Falkirk could not break Gretna down though and Caig was equal to Barrett's 25-yard free-kick.

Gretna continued to hold out comfortably but their day was marred in the closing stages when Yantorno was stretchered off after a collision with Krul.

The Falkirk keeper recovered after lengthy treatment.

The incident led to seven minutes of injury time but Falkirk struggled to get out their own half as Gretna secured a deserved win.



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Gretna: Caig, Innes, Collin, Hall, Naughton, Jenkins, Murray, Skelton, Buscher, Deuchar, Yantorno (Makinwa 87). Subs Not Used: Fleming, McGill, Canning, Baldacchino, Deverdics, Robinson.

Booked: Buscher.

Goals: Deuchar 33, Murray 50.

Falkirk: Krul, Ross, Barr, Holden (Latapy 69), Scobbie, Moutinho (Milne 63), Cregg (Bradley 55), Riera, McBride, Barrett, Finnigan. Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Aafjes, Mitchell, Stewert.

Att: 1,609

[DavidMc]

Aberdeen 3-1 Falkirk
Tuesday 22nd January 08
Scottish Cup
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen

An impressive display saw Aberdeen win comfortably against an off-form Falkirk in a suprisingly one-sided Scottish Cup tie at Pittodrie.
Jamie Smith opened the scoring with a wonderful free-kick, before Jeffrey De Visscher doubled the lead.

Smith scored a second for the Dons as the home side dominated proceedings.

Falkirk clawed a goal back when Graham Barrett scored the rebound after Jamie Langfield had parried his penalty, but it was not enough for the Bairns.


Falkirk were keen to rewrite history, not having beaten Aberdeen in any competition since 1994, with the last win at Pittodrie for the Bairns coming 50 years ago.

The visitors were first to press, with Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield fumbling the ball from Graham Barrett's early cross, which the Dons defence finally cleared.

The Dons roared back into the game and Smith opened the scoring with a glorious free-kick which he curled round the wall into the top left-hand corner of the goal.

Falkirk keeper Tim Krul was called into action when Steve Lovell met Jackie MacNamara's cross, but the on-loan Dutchman was equal to the effort.

Derek Young rattled the crossbar with a powerful effort from the angle of the box after a lovely one-two with Steve Lovell as Aberdeen continued to dominate.

Lee Miller then hit the post with another driven effort, with Krul totally beaten, as the Dons turned the screw.

The home side had totally dominated the opening half, and it was no surprise when Jeffrey DeVisscher doubled the Dons lead just before the break.

Krul saved the initial shot from Lee Miller, but De Visscher was on hand to fire in the rebound, his second goal for the club.

Lovell again went close after the break following fine work on the wing from De Visscher, as Aberdeen continued to control the match, but Krul was able to save the striker's effort.

The game was as good as over when Smith scored his second of the night, tucking the ball home at the back post after Kenny Milne failed to block the ball across the box.

Falkirk were handed a lifeline from the penalty spot after the referee adjudged Zander Diamond to have handled the ball in the box.

Graham Barrett saw Langfield save his spot kick, but the striker was alert enough to follow up and lash the ball into the roof of the net.

Aberdeen were then handed a spot-kick of their own, but Severin's effort was saved by Krul and the Falkirk defence cleared the ball, with Krul injuring himself in the process.

Robert Olejnik, on for Krul, did well to save from another Smith free-kick as the home side kept up the pressure late in the game.



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Aberdeen: Langfield, McNamara (Daniel Smith 68), Diamond, Severin, Considine, Young, Nicholson, De Visscher (Jonathan Smith 90), Jamie Smith, Lovell (Maguire 78), Miller.
Subs Not Used: Soutar, Aluko.

Booked: Young.

Goals: Jamie Smith 19, De Visscher 43, Jamie Smith 55.

Falkirk: Krul (Olejnik 73), Ross, Barr, Milne, Holden, Arfield, Riera (Bradley 68), McBride, Moutinho (Cregg 45), Finnigan, Barrett.
Subs Not Used: Aafjes, Scobbie.

Booked: Krul, Holden, Finnigan.

Goals: Barrett 61.

Att: 8,547

[DavidMc]

Falkirk v Celtic
Scottish Premier League
Sunday 27th January
New Brockville Stadium, Falkirk

Former Aston Villa goalkeeper Robert Olejnik will take over from the injured Tim Krul for Falkirk as Celtic visit.

Striker Michael Higdon is also still sidelined with a knee injury, while head coach John Hughes starts a four-match touchline ban.

Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and right-back Andreas Hinkel are injury doubts, while forward Derek Riordan has a stomach bug.

But winger Aiden McGeady is available again following suspension.




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Falkirk (from): Olejnik, Ross, Barr, Holden, Scobbie, Milne, Cregg, Riera, McBride, Latapy, Bradley, Arfield, Moutinho, Barrett, Finnigan, Barclay, Aafjes, Mitchell.

Celtic (from): Boruc, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Sno, Scott Brown, Donati, Hartley, McDonald, McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Riordan, Killen, Mark Brown, Zurawski, O'Dea.

[DavidMc]

Rangers 2-0 Falkirk
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 9th February 08
Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow

Rangers moved seven points clear at the top of the SPL with a win over a well-organised Falkirk team at Ibrox.
Early on, Rangers struggled to open up a solid Bairns side, who came close through a sweet Scott Arfield volley.

But Rangers striker Kris Boyd broke the deadlock with a 22-yard free-kick midway through the first half.

And as Falkirk pressed in the final stages, substitute Steven Naismith wrapped up the win with a calm finish, after robbing Darren Barr of the ball.

Falkirk boss John Hughes watched on from the stand while serving a touchline ban.

And the Bairns manager had clearly learned from his side's crushing 7-2 defeat the last time he took his team to Ibrox, when they were punished for a swashbuckling attacking approach.

However, the 4-1-4-1 formation employed on this visit was well-organised and packed the midfield.

The effect was to frustrate Rangers who, despite some neat passing moves, were unable to fashion many clear-cut chances for much of the early stages.

Jean-Claude Darcheville did whip the ball across the Falkirk goal on 14 minutes, but Gerard Aafjes was on hand to mop up with Kris Boyd lurking at the far post.

Instead it was the visitors who had the better efforts early in the game.

Scott Arfield, fresh from scoring for Scotland Under-21s in midweek, twice tried his luck from distance.

The first effort was scooped well over the bar from 12 yards, but with the second the midfielder showed excellent technique to chest the ball down before firing in a dipping volley that cleared Alan McGregor's top corner by inches.

Yet, it was Walter Smith's side that took the lead in the 23rd minute, and perhaps inevitably it was from a dead-ball situation, given the Bairns' success in stifling Rangers in open play.

Darcheville was fouled 22 yards from goal, and Kris Boyd, enjoying a rare start for the Light Blues, stepped up to drill the ball home low past Robert Olejnik.

The goal seemed to spur the home side on, and Darcheville took the ball for a run, rounding the Faikirk keeper Robert Olejnik, but the Austrian managed to get a finger-tip to the ball to touch it wide.

Bairns defender Tam Scobbie nearly pegged level when his flighted free-kick caught out the Rangers rear-guard before drifted just wide of McGregors goal.

But Falkirk had Olejnik to thank for going in at the break just the one goal down, when he saved a powerful Boyd volley from six yards.

Into the second half and Barry Ferguson just failed to finish off a wonderful flowing move involving Brahim Hemdani and Boyd, shooting wide from four yards.

Falkirk manager Hughes substituted defender Kenny Milne for Russell Latapy, in a more attacking move.

And with Scobbie afforded more license down the right, the Bairns bagan to creep back into the match.

But in the final quarter, Rangers were twice denied a second goal within the space of 60 seconds.

Substitute Steven Naismith put Ferguson through on goal, but Olenjnik was quick off his line to tip the Rangers captain's shot over.

Carlos Cuellar then watched a header cleared off the line by Russell Latapy.

With minutes to go Patrick Cregg passed up a rare Falkirk chance to grab a share of the points, blasting over from 12 yards after skipping past two Rangers players.

But with the Bairns pressing as the match came to a close, Rangers secured the points thanks to Steven Naismith robbing Darren Barr and sliding cooly past Olejnik.



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Rangers: McGregor, Broadfoot, Cuellar, Weir, Whittaker, Ferguson, Hemdani, Burke, McCulloch, Boyd (Naismith 66), Darcheville (Novo 83).
Subs Not Used: Alexander, Davis, Dailly, Furman, Fleck.

Booked: Whittaker.

Goals: Boyd 23, Naismith 89.

Falkirk: Olejnik, Ross, Barr, Scobbie, Milne (Latapy 54), Cregg, Moutinho (Clarke 61), Aafjes, Finnigan, Arfield, Barrett.
Subs Not Used: Supple, Bradley, Mitchell, Stewert, Robertson.

Att: 48,590

[DavidMc]

Falkirk 4-0 St Mirren
Scottish Premier League
Saturday 16th February 08
Brockville Stadium

A poor performance from St Mirren goalkeeper Mark Howard handed Falkirk a comfortable win at the Falkirk Stadium.
Scott Arfield's early header opened the scoring for the Bairns and the youngster doubled his tally following a mistake from Howard.

Howard's afternoon went from bad to worse as his weak punch was turned into the net by Patrick Cregg.

Cregg then put the match beyond doubt with a terrific strike from the edge of the box which flew into the net.

St Mirren's Stephen McGinn had the first effort of the match with a long-range drive which fizzed wide, although it was Falkirk who were having the bulk of the play.

It was the home side who broke the deadlock moments later when Arfield headed Carl Finnigan's cross into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

The home side then caused problems when Darren Barr flicked on Pedro Moutinho's corner, but McGinn was alert on the goalline and cleared the ball.

Following this early promise however, the game became a scrappy affair, with a heavy pitch causing problems for players from both sides.

Andy Dorman then passed up a chance of an equaliser as he shot wide from eight yards out following a flick on from Craig Dargo.

St Mirren started the second half brightly, but it was Falkirk who threatened first as Jack Ross's mis-hit cross left Mark Howard stranded but sailed off-target.

Hugh Murray then went close for St Mirren, but his powerful drive from the edge of the box went comfortably over.

Howard was then at fault as Arfield's tame right-footed shot, again from Finnigan's cross, slipped through the keeper's legs to put the Bairns two goals ahead.

Moments later Howard's nightmare continued as he punched a cross weakly into the path of Patrick Cregg, who headed over the keeper and into the net.

The two quick goals were a sucker punch for the Paisley side, and they struggled to rediscover their rhythm as the home side took control.

Cregg then rubbed salt into St Mirren's wounds as his rifled effort from the edge of the box flew into the net to put the match beyond the visitors.

St Mirren substitute Jim Hamilton tried his luck from a free-kick but his effort was straight at Falkirk keeper Robert Olejnik.

Falkirk always looked the more likely to add to their lead and Kenny Milne shot from the angle of the box, but the defender's effort went wide.

Stephen Bradley then tried an audacious looping effort from forty yards out, but this time Howard was able to take the ball comfortably.



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Falkirk: Olejnik, Ross, Milne, Scobbie, Barr, McBride, Moutinho (Clarke 60), Cregg, Arfield, Barrett (Bradley 74), Finnigan (Stewert 83). Subs Not Used: Supple, Latapy, Aafjes, Robertson.

Booked: Barr, McBride, Ross.

Goals: Arfield 6, 58, Cregg 61, 71.

St Mirren: Howard, van Zanten, Barron, Potter, Maxwell, McGinn (Hamilton 65), Murray, Dorman (Brady 74), Corcoran, Dargo, Mehmet. Subs Not Used: Mathers, Kean, Miranda, McCay, Millen.

Booked: Murray, van Zanten.

Att: 5,803

[LAF]

Dundee United failed to make their superiority count against a poor Falkirk side at Tannadice.
Christian Kalvenes rattled the crossbar with a header in a first-half dominated by the home side.

United's Mark De Vries went close with a header and spurned two more chances to break the deadlock.

Falkirk offered little going forward and managed to weather United's constant attacks to undeservedly hold out for a point from a low-key contest.


Interview: Dundee United manager Craig Levein
Interview: Falkirk assistant manager Brian Rice

United welcomed back top scorer Noel Hunt in one of four changes made by manager Craig Levein.

Darren Dods, Kalvenes and Danny Swanson came in with Willo Flood, Danny Grainger and Jim O'Brien dropping to the bench. Gary Kenneth failed to make the squad.

Falkirk handed a first start to on-loan Ipswich striker Billy Clarke at the expense of Carl Finnigan.


United dominated a poor game against a disappointing Falkirk side

De Vries headed an early chance wide for United after being set up by his striking partner Hunt.

Kalvenes was then thwarted by the crossbar after his header sailed past Falkirk goalkeeper Robert Olejnik.

The visitors struggled to establish any rhythm in a first half dominated by United.

But despite enjoying the lionshare of possession, United were unable to break the deadlock in the first-half.

De Vries then fed Prince Buaben and the midfielder's half-volley was well saved by Olejnik.

MY SPORT: DEBATE
Give your reaction to the result at Tannadice

United continued to press for the opener after the break, with goalkeeper Lucasz Zaluska hardly called into action.

Falkirk midfielder Russell Latapy was brought on at the start of the second half, as he tried to spark his team-mates into life.

The veteran playmaker went close with a long-range shot in a rare foray forward for the Bairns.

With 10 minutes remaining, Olejnik saved Lee Wilkie's flashing drive, much to the frustration of the home fans.



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Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Dillon, Wilkie, Dods, Kalvenes, Kerr, Buaben, Gomis, Swanson (Flood 68), Hunt, De Vries. Subs Not Used: McLean, Grainger, O'Brien, David Robertson, Conway, Odhiambo.

Booked: Swanson.

Falkirk: Olejnik, Ross, Barr, Milne, Scobbie, McBride, Moutinho, Cregg, Arfield (Latapy 46), Barrett, Clarke (Robertson 72). Subs Not Used: Supple, Bradley, Aafjes, Riera, Stewert.

Booked: Barrett, Clarke.

Att: 6,835

Ref: M Tumilty

BBC SPORT | Football | Scottish Premier | Dundee United 0-0 Falkirk