Falkirk 2 - 0 Raith Rovers: Fitting tribute to Christie as Bairns’ persistence pays off

AT THE end of a week of wildly-contrasting emotions for Falkirk, it was one of contentment at the team’s on-field success that pervaded the stadium at full-time.

The Bairns had been brought crashing back down from the highs of Tuesday night’s Scottish Communities League Cup triumph against Dundee United by the sad loss of former chairman Campbell Christie in the early hours of Friday morning.

However, following a minute’s silence for the former trade union leader, Steven Pressley’s side delivered a “fitting tribute” with late goals from Blair Alston and skipper Darren Dods keeping them in touch with Ross County at the summit of the First Division.

Pressley said: “I said to the lads in the dressing room that I think that was our best result of the season thus far, because I know how difficult it is to get results on the back of the euphoria of Tuesday night. Obviously as a club there’s also been some disappointing news over the last couple of days with the loss of a man in Campbell Christie who has brought so much positivity to this club.

“It was very important that we created a positive result today on the back of that disappointing news. We were delighted to do that, it was a fitting result.”

John Baird’s header from a tight angle glanced against the crossbar for Raith in the 53rd minute but it was the home side who found the breakthrough with just 15 minutes remaining.

Kallum Higginbotham surged in from the right and, when his low drive was parried by Rovers keeper David McGurn, Alston was first to react to sweep the loose ball high into the net.

The points were secured five minutes later when Mark Millar’s corner was bundled in from close range by Dods.