Cup final has given Bairns boost – Yogi

Published on Thursday 14 May 2009 09:43

FALKIRK boss John Hughes believes reaching the Homecoming Scottish Cup final has helped them to the brink of winning their relegation battle.

The Bairns had been bottom of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League since March 4 but since they beat Dunfermline in the semi-finals of the cup last month to set up the showpiece occasion against Rangers later this month, they have taken seven points from nine.

Their 1-0 win over Hamilton last night, thanks to Scott Arfield's second-half winner, took them one point ahead of St Mirren, who lost 2-1 at Kilmarnock.

Falkirk host Saints on Saturday and will stay in the SPL if they take all three points.

Hughes believes their cup run has helped them rediscover their league form.

"I am happier with the result than the performance. It wasn't enjoyable," said Yogi. "But we have got a bit of momentum going and reaching the Scottish Cup final has been a real shot in the arm for us.

"It was all about picking up three points and getting off the bottom of the league but we are not getting carried away.

"We know the importance of the game on Saturday.

"It will be two teams fighting for their lives and we have to handle the pressure and anxiety and everything that goes with it.

"I have great respect for (St Mirren boss) Gus MacPherson, St Mirren, Hamilton and all the teams around us.

"It is a fine line between the teams down at the bottom. We can all beat each other on our day."

Accies needed one point to ensure safety and boss Billy Reid insisted his side deserved to take something from the game.

However, Reid consoled himself with the knowledge his side remain four points ahead of St Mirren with two games remaining.

"We deserved a point on the balance of play and on the chances we made but it wasn't to be.

We might have scored with some of the crosses that were flashing across the box," he said.

"But we still have our destiny in our own hands and we believe we can do it."