Airdrie United 0-1 Falkirk
Scorer: Falkirk- Taylor 58
Bairns hotshot Lyle Taylor claimed a penalty on 16 minutes after a Ricki Lamie challenge but referee Matt Northcroft booked him for diving.
Jay Fulton then fired an 18-yard shot just over Robbie Thomson’s bar as the Scottish Cup semi-finalists looked for a breakthrough.
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Hide AdOn the stroke of half-time, Michael McGovern’s punched clearance fell to Willie McLaren but the Airdrie danger man’s chip was cleared by Darren Dods.
On 48 minutes McLaren went close with a well-hit shot that McGovern parried away but ten minutes later Airdrie pushed the self-destruct button when Gregor Buchanan lost the ball to Taylor who ruthlessly punished them by running in to shoot home.
A neat Falkirk move on 64 minutes ended with Thomas Grant firing over from 16 yards but the Diamonds seemed to be thrown a lifeline on 66 minutes after Taylor was given a second yellow card for a flare-up with Airdrie’s Buchanan.
Despite being a man down, Falkirk’s young side kept their cool to see out the victory comfortably.