Annan Athletic 0 - 3 Falkirk: Visitors on course for cup record

A Mark Millar strike and a double from Farid El Alagui ensured that this semi-final was over as a contest by half-time.

Falkirk manager Steven Pressley said: “I thought it was a magnificent performance from my players. The team’s attitude has been first class, and I am hugely proud of them.

“Farid and guys like that get the headlines, but Michael McGovern made a great save and a significant one in the first minute.”

Having beaten Ayr United in the previous round, Third Division leaders Annan were entitled to feel no sense of inferiority against the side from two divisions above.

Briefly, that was the way it looked as the Galabank men carved out the first chance in three minutes.

A long ball into the box appeared to strike Murray Wallace on the hand, and while Annan’s penalty claims were being waved away, Robert Sloan met the loose ball with a firm shot. His effort appeared to be heading for the bottom right-hand corner until McGovern dived to turn it behind.

That, though, was about as good as it got for Harry Cairney’s men, who found themselves stretched by the swift, incisive passing of the Bairns.

The visitors gave a hint of what was to follow when Rhys Bennett, relishing his role as an attacking wing-back, sent over a cross which El Alagui narrowly failed to convert under pressure from Peter Watson.

However, Falkirk went ahead in ten minutes, when the impressive Stewart Murdoch’s cross was knocked down by David Weatherston and Millar rifled an 18-yard shot high into the net.

They nearly doubled their advantage when a Murdoch cross was touched on by El Alagui, and Craig Sibbald sent an angled left-foot shot narrowly wide.

Annan were struggling to make any impression up front, though Sean O’Connor got his head to Watson’s long throw-in, and Ian Harty’s hooked volley was deflected just wide.

At the other end, Weatherston darted into the home box but sent his shot over the bar.

Falkirk were in easy street before the break when El Alagui claimed his second, latching onto Tam Scobie’s cross and giving Craig Summersgill no chance with a close-range finish.

The home side were carved apart again on the restart when Sibbald and Millar combined for Kallum Higginbotham to net. However, his effort was ruled offside.

Annan might have thrown themselves a lifeline when Sloan’s cross fell for Harty, who shot over the bar.

While the underdogs refused to throw in the towel, they were denied the consolation of a goal as Falkirk added resolute defending to a fine all-round display.

Annan came closest when McGovern made a double save from Bryan Gilfillan and Harty near the end.

Pressley’s joy was tainted with disappointment for Higginbotham and Stewart Murdoch who will miss the final against Hamilton after being booked.

Harry Cairney, the Annan manager, said: “We kept plugging away, but Falkirk played very well and put the game to bed by half-time. Their keeper had a good save in the first minute and the last minute but that’s the way it goes.”

Annan: MacBeth (Steele 66), McGowan, Gibson, Watson, Gilfillan, Sloan, Jardine (McKechnie 66), Harty, O’Connor (Bell 66), Cox. Subs: Wild, Mitchell.

Falkirk: McGovern; Wallace, Scobbie, Dods, Bennett, Murdoch, Weatherston (J Fulton 85), M Millar, El Alagui, Higginbotham (D Fulton 90), Sibbald (Alston 80). Subs: R Millar, Bowman.