Two own goals helped Falkirk secure a dominant 3-0 victory over Kilmarnock in stormy conditions, lifting them to seventh in the Scottish Premiership. Visiting centre-backs Cathal Mc Carthy and George Stanger converted past Calum Ferrie either side of a Jacob Murrell header. The match was played amid torrid weather, with a wild wind firmly against the visitors in the first half. Falkirk adapted better to the conditions, with Murrell netting his fifth league goal of the season. Owen Eames skewed wide with the first decent chance as Falkirk began to stretch the game midway through the half. They opened Killie up down the right to seize a 29th-minute lead when Ethan Ross conjured a terrific deep delivery to pick out Murrell at the back post. The American did not muster much power behind his header and it looked bound for Ferrie's arms. However, on-loan Hull defender Mc Carthy needlessly thrust out a knee to connect and beat his own keeper. Kilmarnock came within inches of a swift reply when a Tom Lowery cross was diverted onto the bar and went over. Falkirk doubled their lead seven minutes before the break when Ferrie batted away a Ross drive at his near post to concede a corner. Ryan Strain's delivery found Murrell evading the attention of Erik Ring to flash a header off the underside of the bar and in.
Torrential rain added to the treacherous conditions as Falkirk rode out a period of early second-half pressure. Liam Henderson headed across goal from Brad Spencer's cross, but Murrell could not make a clean connection with the overhead attempt and Ferrie scooped up. Within a minute of Neil Mc Cann bringing on Mark O'Hara and Nicky Clescenco to provide a spark, all hope of a comeback was extinguished. Stanger's attempted clearance of a Deniss Melniks header from a Falkirk free-kick gave Ferrie no chance. The Killie keeper made fine stops from Eames and Murrell to keep the score down, but the visitors passed up their one chance for a consolation when Scott Bain committed well out of his goal and Ieuan Owen missed the empty goal from 30 yards.
Following a tough start to the campaign, John Mc Glynn's men have lost just one of their last six games. Falkirk boss John Mc Glynn praised his team's adaptation to the conditions and highlighted several strong individual performances.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing