Barney Stewart continued his spectacular goalscoring kind to ship Falkirk on their solution to the Scottish Cup semi-finals with the opener in a 2-1 victory over Dundee United.
Stewart and Finn Yeats each headed Falkirk right into a commanding place earlier than substitute Julius Eskesen struck in first-half stoppage-time with United’s first effort of be aware.
The objective sparked United into life however Zac Sapsford couldn’t capitalise on two glorious possibilities and the visiting followers confirmed their frustration as the ultimate whistle consigned them to what seems an uninspiring finish to the season.
Jim Goodwin’s aspect path sixth-placed Falkirk by 9 factors with 4 video games left till the William Hill Premiership cut up and the Bairns nonetheless have the prospect so as to add cup glory to a possible top-half end.
Their earlier semi-final look got here simply three years in the past after they have been a League 1 aspect in supervisor John McGlynn’s first marketing campaign in cost.
Falkirk opened the scoring inside 9 minutes after Ashley Maynard-Brewer might solely palm the ball excessive into the air following Brad Spencer’s side-footed shot from 20 yards. Stewart nodded dwelling his seventh objective since getting back from a mortgage spell with Dunfermline in January.
The hosts doubled their lead within the twenty first minute when Yeats ran in between two United defenders on the close to submit and guided Leon McCann’s inviting cross into the far nook.
Falkirk’s superior motion off the ball was permitting them to be way more incisive on the ball and extra threatening in assault.
The hosts had possibilities to go three forward. Maynard-Brewer clawed McCann’s cross away from beneath the bar and Calvin Miller was performed by way of, just for Luca Stephenson to take the ball off his toes.
The visiting followers have been venting their anger and have been little doubt gearing up for some main jeers on the half-time whistle. The complexion of the sport modified although they usually ended up cheering their group off.
Max Watters was the catalyst, successful the ball and establishing Will Ferry to drive to the byline, the place he reduce for Eskesen, who was on for the injured Kristijan Trapanovski.
The Dane steered the ball in off Scott Bain’s diving physique to double his United objective tally.
United got here again out after the interval with way more zest and Bain made a powerful cease to disclaim Sapsford after the Australian’s one-two with Watters.
Goodwin despatched on Johnny Russell and the brand new signing instantly confirmed his class with a intelligent contact that allowed Ferry to chop the ball again for Sapsford. The Australian hit the within of the submit.
Falkirk started to regulate possession once more and handle the sport significantly better and their followers appeared to totally get pleasure from assistant referee and former Scottish Conservatives chief Douglas Ross being unintentionally upended by United defender Krisztian Keresztes.
The house followers have been on their ft once more when sub Kyrell Wilson jinked his manner into the field. Maynard-Brewer made the save earlier than Miller scrambled the rebound towards the submit from shut vary.
Falkirk performed out the rest of the sport in management.
