Falkirk 1-0 Dunfermline Athletic

2Slick

Alan Gow's late goal gave Falkirk a victory that puts Dunfermline Athletic deeper into relegation trouble at the foot of the Scottish Premier League.

The Pars started brightly, with Greg Shields and James O'Brien going close, while Stevie Crawford was denied by keeper Kasper Schmeichel's fine save.

But Falkirk enjoyed most of the possession in the wind and rain.

And, after Kenny Milne, Vitor Lima and Liam Craig, squandered chances, Gow fired low into the far corner.

Interview: Falkirk manager John Hughes
Interview: Dunfermline manager Stephen Kenny
Interview: Former goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel

Falkirk head coach John Hughes had handed a debut to Schmeichel, on loan from Manchester City, with Jeroen Lambers dropping to the bench.

Jim Hamilton, Gary Mason and Phil McGuire missed out through suspension for Dunfermline, with Shields and new signing Bobby Ryan coming in to replace them.

And Dunfermline went close after just three minutes when a free-kick by Owen Morrison was met with a glancing header by Shields that drifted wide.

O'Brien found space in the box in the sixth minute for the visitors but skewed a left-foot shot wide.

But the Bairns threatened after 20 minutes, when Russell Latapy's free-kick broke to Milne, whose net-bound shot was blocked by the head of his own team-mate, Gow, and cleared to safety.

The hosts went close again just a minute later, when Lima cut inside, but his left-footed effort was headed behind for a corner.

Bobby Ryan made his debut for Dunfermline
Bobby Ryan (left) made his debut for Dunfermline

And Gow flicked the ball into the path of Craig a few yards out, but the midfielder stabbed the ball wide.

Schmeichel was finally called into action on the stroke of half-time as he spread himself brilliantly to deny former Scotland striker Crawford, who had been sent clear.

But Falkirk took control after the break as the gale blew into the faces of the Dunfermline players.

A long ball forward from Darren Barr in the 50th minute sent Craig clear on goal, but the strong wind carried the ball away from the midfielder and goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie cleared.

A Latapy snap shot from inside the box which was well held by McKenzie and Gow's free-kick just evaded Craig a few yards out at the back post.

Liam missed a good chance to break the deadlock when he chipped wide with Latapy looking for a pass in front of goal.

The winner finally arrived when Craig sent Gow clear on the left side of the box in the 90th minute and the striker's shot slipped under the body of McKenzie to leave the Pars nine points adrift of St Mirren.

Falkirk: Schmeichel, Barr, Uras, Milne, Dodd, Ross, Cregg, Lima, Craig, Latapy, Gow.
Subs Not Used: Lambers, Thomson, Scobbie, Holden, John Stewart, Mcstay, McManus.

Goal: Gow 90.

Dunfermline: McKenzie, Ross (Williamson 90), Shields, Wilson (McCunnie 42), Scott Morrison, O'Brien, Young, Simmons, Owen Morrison (Daquin 49), Ryan, Crawford.
Subs Not Used: De Vries, Woods, Bamba, Phinn.

Booked: Scott Morrison, Young, Simmons, Crawford.

Att: 6,051

Ref: E Smith