Falkirk humbled by part-time Cove Rangers as League One set for fascinating title battle

Fraser Fyvie and Mitch Megginson were key to Cove's win over Falkirk. Picture: SNS

Paul Hartley steered his men to a well deserved 2-0 win at Balmoral Stadium as the part-time outfit went level on 31 points with the Bairns at the top of the table.

Partick Thistle, who were not in action, are one point further behind.

Yet, with one game remaining before the split and the nature of the division, it would be foolish to rule out a late surge from either East Fife or Airdrieonians, four and five points off the top respectively.

The Fifers produced a come from behind win at home to Peterhead to lift themselves into fourth place.

In Cove, Mitch Megginson struck his tenth and 11th goals for the season in either half to earn the three points. Only Odsonne Edouard, Kevin Nisbet and Liam Boyce have scored more in the SPFL but none have as impressive a goals to minutes ratio as the 28-year-old.

While Megginson will grab the headlines for his ability to find the back of the net, ex-Hibs and Aberdeen midfielder Fraser Fyvie and on loan Hearts starlet Connor Smith ran the show in the middle of the park.

Pressure is increasing on the Falkirk management duo of Lee Miller and David McCracken. Well liked at the club but they have been unable to steer the Bairns to the Championship in the manner fans would have expected.

They lined up with a back three but didn’t look comfortable in the system, while both goals conceded came from set pieces and either an inability to clear lines or a failure to mark one of the most potent forwards in Scottish football.

The lack of action for Cove goalkeeper Stuart McKenzie will be a concern with Conor Sammon going closest with an effort off the bar.

Both teams are in action again on Tuesday and both face teams pushing to get into the top five before the split. Cove travel to Montrose, while Falkirk head north once more to face Peterhead.

Partick Thistle have, on paper, the easiest fixture when they visit Dumbarton as Airdrieonians and East Fife meet in North Lanarkshire.

League One is the league to watch.