Flinders eyes a clean sheet as he beds in at Falkirk

Published on Sunday 26 October 2008 21:41

Kilmarnock 1 Simmonds (90) 2 Falkirk 2 Lovell (28) Arfield (66 pen)

FALKIRK goalkeeper Scott Flinders made three vital saves as his side moved off the bottom of the SPL with an important victory at Kilmarnock on Saturday – but he is still pursuing an elusive clean sheet.

John Hughes' team have been unable to shut out the opposition in any of their 12 league and cup matches so far this term, but Flinders, who was making his second start for Falkirk at Rugby Park, aims to change that.

The 22-year-old, on loan from Crystal Palace, made an excellent close-range stop from Conor Sammon with the game goalless, and went on to deny David Fernandez and Craig Bryson on either side of the break. He said: "The manager said those saves were at a crucial time, we knew Kilmarnock would come at us in the second half but I thought the lads defended absolutely brilliantly.

"We're just missing that clean sheet, but hopefully it will come over the next game or so.

"This was my second game and I'm still getting to know the lads and they're getting to know me.

"I'm delighted with how I've played over the past two matches but I want to take it game by game and hopefully we can get a run together and start climbing the table."

Flinders saw team-mate Steve Lovell score the opener and then see red for a second-half altercation with Jamie Hamill, and watched as Scott Arfield beat Kilmarnock goalkeeper Alan Combe from the penalty spot.

He added: "I didn't really see the sending off – I was too busy applauding Gerard (Aafjes] for a clearance in the box so I was trying to shout to him and the next minute, all the lads are scrapping up the other end of the pitch. But what you can say about Stevie Lovell is that he's a committed lad and gives his best in every game. When people get sent off it gives that extra bit of spirit to the lads to keep it tight."

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies was disappointed that his third-placed side were unable to complete a hat-trick of SPL victories. They scored their third late goal in as many weeks, through substitute Donovan Simmonds, but unlike the previous two last-gasp winners, it was only a consolation.

Jefferies said: "The conditions were difficult for corners and free-kicks and we didn't deal with one of those corners which led to the first goal – but there's no doubt the goalkeeper made three fantastic saves at crucial times."

Of the red card, Jefferies added: "It seemed to be that they were both sliding – whether Jamie's on the deck and he's caught him I don't know, but he's lost the plot and there's no doubt that he's clearly had a kick at the lad. You can't do that so he has to go."