Falkirk 1-1 Raith Rovers: Falkirk snatch late draw

By ALAN TEMPLE
Published on 06/03/2013 00:51

THE feelgood factor at Falkirk remains unfettered after an injury-time header from Stewart Murdoch secured a point for the Scottish Cup semi-finalists against Raith Rovers.

SCORERS: Falkirk - Murdoch (90); Raith Rovers - Graham (30)

Rovers’ ever-threatening Brian Graham took his tally for the most profitable campaign of his career to 23, showing a typical predatory streak to net the opening goal of a scrappy encounter.

Lyle Taylor endured a barren first half leading the line for a visibly weary Falkirk outfit, clearly showing the strains of their Scottish Cup endeavours, before he was replaced at the interval by Lewis Small. However Falkirk shown grit and determination to pile pressure on the Fifers in the closing stages and finally gained their reward as Murdoch powered home a 
superb header after 92 minutes.

The last gasp intervention means the Bairns have only lost one of their last eight outings and, with a Scottish Cup semi-final to look forward to, the immediate future of Steven Pressley’s youthful charges is evidently bright.

Despite the buoyant mood in the Falkirk camp, the visitors made early attacking inroads. Jason Thomson was in marauding form it was his roving run which created an opener for the visitors, as he darted to the by-line before firing an inviting ball across the face of goal for ­Graham to prod over the line.

The second half finally heralded some potency from Pressley’s youthful ensemble but Raith keeper David McGurn was in inspired form when called upon.

However, at the death Murdoch rose highest to connect with Thomas Grant corner to rescue a point for the hosts.

Falkirk: McGovern; Duffie, Dods, Flynn, Kingsley; Murdoch, Alston; Weatherston, Higgins (Grant 64), McGrandles (J Fulton 64); Taylor (Small 45). Subs not used: Dick, Bowman.

Raith Rovers: T McGurn; Thomson, Murray, Ellis, Malone; G Anderson (Watt 72), Walker, S Anderson, Hamill; Clarke, Graham. Subs not used: Spence, Vaughan, Donaldson, Laidlaw.