Falkirk 1 – 2 Dunfermline

Dunfermline took a vital step in the First Division title race with a hard fought victory over derby rivals Falkirk. Despite conceding a penalty in the second half, the Pars held on to close the gap at the top to only two points.

While the pre-match talk before leaving the Kingdom may have been about the wintry weather, on arriving at the ground the respective teams provided a few surprises. It was a case of “spot the former Pars striker” on the benches, with Tam McManus taking his place on the home bench, and Graham Bayne (in the form of “A. Trialist”) warming up with Dunfermline. There were also a few surprises in the starting line-ups, with Falkirk bringing in Perry and Murdoch for Flynn and Duffy while Jim McIntyre kept faith with under-pressure `keeper Chris Smith and brought in Alex Burke, Chris Higgins and Steven McDougall for the injured Kevin Rustybits and benched David Graham and Liam Buchanan.

Falkirk got the game under way kicking towards the vocal Pars support and immediately played the ball too long and out for a throw. If this was to be an omen for the home side they didn`t pay attention as all to often for the Bairns the ball ended up out of play. They did try to get into the game through O`Brien but when he did get past Calum Woods, Smith confidently claimed the cross. The Pars were also looking to start on the front foot, and a long ball up the inside left channel set Andy Kirk away, but despite claiming a corner, the referee Smith and linesman eventually settled for a goal kick.


The defensive frailties that had de-railed the Pars promotion challenge resurfaced again soon after, with a mix up between Keddie and Higgins almost allowing the home side in. While Millar was too slow to capatilise on this occasion, a few minutes later his teammate Finnigan was able to get in on goal following a loss of concentration at the back. Woods opted for a ball inside rather than up the line, and when Keddie lost the ball following a heavy touch, Finnigan`s eyes lit up expecting a strike at goal. Luckily for the Pars, the danger was snuffed out.


Joe Cardle had a profitable game at Westfield in August and he was again proving to be the go-to man when the Pars broke forward. After beating the right-back, Perry, Joe went into the box and went down. The referee didn`t want to give a penalty but also didn`t book Cardle for simulation. Martin Hardie was next to try his luck, but his shot didn`t trouble Olejnik in the Falkirk goal. With the Pars enjoying a spell of bright possesion, Graham Bayne was sent out for a warm-up for which he received a warm reception. Bayne would have relished some of the challenges flying in, and Finnigan was lucky to escape with a stern word from the referee after appearing to connect with a wayward elbow while challenging for a high ball.

With McCann and Cardle doing well to snuff out any potential threat down the Falkirk right, Millar and O`Brien tried to combine down their left. Mark Millar in particular was looking dangerous although on too many occasions for Stephen Pressley`s liking, the final ball was overhit. It was real end to end stuff at this moment, and both sides could sense a breakthrough. Kirk was the next to try his luck, heading over after good work from Hardie and McCann. What was especially pleasing for the large travelling support was the speed of recovery after the ex-St Johnstone midfielder had slipped on the greasy surface.


The opening goal was not far away though. After combining well with Hardie, Cardle was fouled on the left touchline. His cross was fizzed in deep but was headed clear for a corner. This time the defence was found wanting, and after the initial header was cleared off the line, Calum WOODS was on hand to force the ball home from short range. Despite having less of the ball than their hosts, the Pars had been coming into the game more and so it came at a good time for the visitors. Falkirk were clearly stung by this sucker punch and tried to get a foothold on the game, but with heavy rain making conditions difficult, the scrappy nature of the game at this stage suited the Pars.

There was a bad clash of heads just before the half hour, with Keddie and Finnigan bumping into each other while challenging aerially. After a short delay, both players felt well enough to continue. With the game getting bogged down in midfield, the central trio of Hardie, Burke and Mason were having to dig deep to keep the Falkirk response in check. Higginbotham was having a few runs at the back line, but as we`ve come to expect in the games between these two rivals was going down easily under challenges. A storming run to the edge of the box looked to have opened a gap, but he chose to go to ground and Smith waved away his protests. The frustration felt by the home side was also being felt in the stands, with Falkirk`s fans beginning to grumble and some of the Pars fans near the front getting involved with the police and stewards. Not the sort of thing we like to see at away grounds.

Millar`s corners were still causing a few problems, with one chance in particular being blocked away off Higgins` chest for another corner. Twaddle also had a chance, but his header never caused Smith any undue concern. The Pars did look quite comfortable though, and further extended their lead just before half time. With the Falkirk fans and players laughing at Woods for slipping while in a dangerous position, the Liverpudlian managed to keep his wits about him enough to scramble the ball back to McDougall. His cross was met first time by Martin HARDIE, whose sweet volley was behind Olejnik before he could react. A 2-0 lead then, and Hardie was quick to run to the bench to thank his new manager for the faith he has shown in signing the midfield hardman.


Cardle tried to give the Pars and even bigger lead as the half drew to a close, but his wicked low ball in from the right was just too firm for Kirk to run on to. Nevertheless, when the referee blew his whistle for half-time, the Pars fans rose as one to acclaim a spirited first half and a valuable two goal cushion.

Half-time: Falkirk 0, Dunfermline 2

Stephen Pressley had obvioulsy had words at half-time, and he made two substitutions at the start of the second half, ex-Par Olejnik5 and midfielder Olejnik6 coming on for Finnigan and Murdoch. Despite the assumed rocket, it was the Pars who started brighter and were combining well going forward. A nice move involving Kirk and Cardle ended with Gary Mason trying his luck from 25 yards out, but his powerful drive was blocked. The right sided players were also getting involved, and a nice one-two got McDougall into the box. Sadly, his low cross was blocked at the front post and the chance was gone.


Just before the hour mark, and with the Pars looking steady without really threatening, Falkirk were awarded a lifeline. A decent-looking ball was cleared by Woods, but with no Falkirk players, coaches or fans complaining, referee Smith pointed to the spot. Fans, journalists and players alike looked round in confusion but the referee was adamant and booked Woods for his justified protest. Millar wasn`t going to throw away the chance to get back into the game, and his penalty was dispatched into the bottom left corner with Smith going the other way.