First Division: Falkirk keep title hopes alive

With the entire spotlight focused on Fife on Saturday, Falkirk quietly did all they could to keep themselves in the First Division hunt by defeating Stirling Albion 2-1.

With leaders Dunfermline coming out on top against closest challengers Raith Rovers, the third placed Bairns can now only win the title on goal difference, and they will need huge favours from Morton and Queen of the South next Saturday against the top two, as well as a win over Ross County to set things up for a final day shoot-out at East End Park.

Steven Pressley's side extended Stirling's winless run to 24 games thanks firstly to a Mark Millar penalty, after Scott Robertson had pushed Tam Scobbie over in the box, and then Tam McManus' curled shot. Stirling pulled a goal back through on-loan Hearts striker Gordon Smith.

The race to avoid the relegation play-off place took another turn at the weekend with Cowdenbeath grabbing a point at Queen of the South in a 2-2 draw to move level with Ross County, who went down 1-0 at home to Dundee.

The Blue Brazil took the lead early in Dumfries when Archie Campbell shot home before two minutes had been played, however Daniel Carmichael levelled a quarter of an hour later.

Campbell netted a second from the penalty spot on the half hour mark, but Jimmy Nicholl's side were pegged back again right on half-time as Derek Holmes curled a left foot shot home.

Dundee ensured that the 25 point penalty imposed on them for entering administration six months ago did not cost them their First Division Status with their 1-0 success at Dingwall's Victoria Park.

Partick Thistle jumped over visitors Morton in the table and won for the first time under interim manager Jackie McNamara when they defeated the Cappielow men 2-0 at Firhill. Chris Erskine opened the scoring on the hour mark and Paddy Boyle added a second.