Match Report - By Steven Mew

Report by Steven Mew

The struggles of Championship football continued for Darren Dods side this afternoon as the Bairns swept 9-man City aside at a bitterly cold Falkirk Stadium.

The home side were already two goals ahead by the time Sean Crighton and skipper Paul McLean were shown straight red cards for challenges on striker Alex Jakubiak before the break.

This meant the 9 men of City had to push themselves to the limit to keep the scoreline down and that they did, with the Bairns only adding one more goal to their tally in the second half.

Manager Darren Dods made two changes to the side that lost to Morton at Cappielow last weekend, with Jordan Sinclair and Kalvin Orsi coming in for Callumn Morrison and the suspended Euan Spark.

The home side came flying out the traps and within two minutes Smith had to be alert to keep out a volley from Andrew Nelson and five minutes later, Alex Jakubiak stabbed wide from a cutback inside the box.

Smith was called into action again after 9 minutes when he came rushing out of his area to stop Andrew Nelson in his tracks. The home support were calling for a red card however the referee opted for a yellow.

City had their first opportunity of the game after 14 minutes when Kalvin Orsi collected a pass and bore down on goal however his effort was comfortably saved by Hazard.

The Bairns opened the scoring after 17 minutes when centre half AARON MUIRHEAD displayed the qualities of a striker by gliding past Sean Crighton before rounding Graeme Smith and slotting the ball into the empty net.

Two minutes later the home side could have easily doubled their advantage when Jakubiak was played clean through on goal but Smith did well to narrow the angle and block his effort.

Paul Hartley’s men didn’t have to wait too much longer to get the second goal just before the half hour mark. Louis Longridge collected a pass from Jakubiak before whipping in a cross for CRAIG SIBBALD to knock the ball home.

The City defence was in a state of disarray again minutes later when Lewis Kidd was played through on goal - he lifted the ball over the advancing Smith however Finn Graham was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

Things went from bad to worse before the break as City were reduced to nine men with two dismissals in the space of 4 minutes.

Firstly, Sean Crighton was sent packing by referee Stephen Finnie for a strong challenge on Jakubiak and skipper Paul McLean was to follow him down the tunnel after he received a straight red for another challenge on the same player, much to the disbelief of City players and supporters.

Two goals and two players down, City were in a perilous position at half time and the home support would have been fully expecting the floodgates to open in the second period.

That didn’t quite materialise however as the nine men fought hard and put bodies on the line to keep the scoreline down. Falkirk understandably continued to dominate possession with the City players often camped in their own half.

A third goal did come for the Bairns on the hour mark – the City defence did well to block numerous efforts before the ball broke kindly for ANDREW NELSON who slammed low past Smith.

A minute later Jakubiak had an effort deflected wide for a corner and shortly after, ‘Buzz’ had to be alert to deny Louis Longridge.

As the game wore on, the Falkirk support grew more restless as they failed to breach the City rearguard again. Jakubiak continued to cause problems with a couple of half chances in the closing stages however Smith was equal to his efforts.

Overall, a thoroughly disappointing day for City who now have just half a dozen games now to try and register that elusive win in the Championship. Next up is a long trip north to face Inverness on Tuesday night.

Other Results - Ladbrokes Championship

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Comfortable win for high flying Livi.

Dunfermline Athletic 3 Queen of the South 1

Nicky Clark hat trick earns all 3 points for the Pars.

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Inverness come from 2 goals down to earn a draw.

Morton 1 Dundee United 1

Last minute equaliser for the Ton denies the Tangerines.