Falkirk blew the race for a European spot huge open as they recorded their third win of the season over Motherwell with a slim 1-0 victory at Falkirk Stadium on Saturday.
John McGlynn’s facet repeatedly discovered areas in behind the Motherwell defence and substitute Henry Cartwright fired house the one aim within the 63rd minute after latching on to Ben Broggio’s inch-perfect by way of ball.
The guests struggled to carve out clear-cut possibilities as they missed the chance to increase their six-point lead over Hibernian within the chase for fourth place within the William Hill Premiership.
Falkirk have now racked up 10 factors towards Motherwell this season and so they minimize the hole on Hibernian to 2 forward of Celtic’s go to to Easter Street on Sunday.
With Hibs because of go to Falkirk subsequent Saturday, the outcome provides the Bairns actual hope of securing fifth place, which can provide a route into Europe if Celtic beat Dunfermline within the Scottish Cup ultimate.
The house facet had the primary probability within the opening minute when Calvin Miller obtained in behind however couldn’t get sufficient top on his long-range chip.
The Bairns continued to bother Motherwell with aerial balls however Barney Stewart twice shot off track with the guests outnumbered.
The striker quickly had a shot inadvertently stopped by Millar, who had seen his effort brilliantly blocked by Paul McGinn.
Stewart was additionally gifted a superb probability when Calum Ward dallied on the ball inside his six-yard field however the Motherwell goalkeeper recovered to make a superb point-blank cease.
Motherwell’s greatest first-half strikes got here down the left. Elijah Simply shot huge after Elliot Watt gained possession and Nicky Hogarth made a flying cease from Emmanuel Longelo.
Visiting left-back Stephen O’Donnell appealed strongly for a penalty when he gave the impression to be nudged as he attacked a free-kick into the field, however referee Dan McFarlane was not and play rapidly moved on.
Stewart missed his greatest probability but simply after the interval when he despatched a free header huge from 5 yards following Leon McCann’s cross.
Longelo shot into the facet netting and Motherwell supervisor Jens Berthel Askou was booked for dissent after Finn Yeats went unpunished for an obvious elbow on Watt because the pair competed within the air.
The Bairns took the lead when Broggio threaded the ball by way of for Cartwright to run on to and drive previous Ward.
Millar virtually scored one of many targets of the season after Watt was caught on the ball. The previous Celtic attacker produced two sensible items of ability to jink previous two defenders however shot huge off stability.
Falkirk’s Henry Cartwright celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 towards Motherwell
Motherwell made a sequence of attacking modifications but it surely was Falkirk substitute Kyrell Wilson who compelled a superb cease from Ward.
The Steelmen had loads of possession and territory within the closing phases but it surely took till the ultimate seconds earlier than they may critically threaten.
Stephen Welsh’s header bounced past the far submit with Callum Hendry unable to show the ball house on the road.
McGlynn anticipating Hibernian ‘cracker’ in race for Europe
Falkirk supervisor John McGlynn:
“I think we had the better chances. Barney (Stewart) on another day could have scored three or four himself. So we’re delighted to win.
“We have the best respect for Motherwell. They are a cracking group, play wonderful soccer and you have to be in your toes.
“I thought the first half was like basketball. It was just like, we attack, they attack, we attack, they attack. How it was 0-0 at half-time was quite disappointing, actually.
“It was form of like coronary heart assault materials. To be honest, I assumed it was nice depth within the sport.
“Nicky (Hogarth) had one brilliant save in the first half, didn’t have much to do in the second half.
“From our standpoint, it is an awesome aim.
“Who knows, could be we’re trying to jump Hibs over the next three games if we can. You just continuously move challenges, and the challenge was, can we get above Hibs? So, at the moment, it’s on for next week to be an absolute cracker.”
‘A lot to be annoyed about’
Motherwell supervisor Jens Berthel Askou:
“Very, very difficult first half. At times for both teams, extremely open, transition on transition, because none of the teams were really good enough at taking advantage of all the space they got going forward.
“Dropping the ball, then it is the opposite means, then it is again and ahead.
“We really tried to lift our game for the second half.
“I feel in some ways we did that, however we weren’t in a position to make use of all of the house that was really there and that is probably the most disappointing factor for me.”
Askou was booked for complaining after referee Dan McFarlane took no action when Finn Yeats appeared to catch Elliot Watt with an elbow at a high ball.
“I feel it is higher that I do not say something about something,” the Dane said when asked about the incident.
“There have been loads of issues to be annoyed about that had nothing to do with my gamers and as I’ve stated many instances, it is not an excuse to not try to do our greatest and attempt to make our greatest even higher.
“I’m just happy that no one lost their head from our side and I’m actually quite proud about that.”
