Falkirk 1-0 Dundee United

Falkirk celebrate Ross' goal

Falkirk took one step closer to ensuring their SPL status with their first home victory in the league at the expense of Dundee United.

Jack Ross gave the Bairns the lead against the run of play when he converted Patrick Clegg's pass with a low shot from the edge of the area.

The visitors created many chances, with Collin Samuel and Grant Brebner forcing great saves from Mark Howard.

United's David Fernandez also had a header cleared off the line.

The win will be even more pleasing for Falkirk following basement side Livingston's win over Inverness.

But they were forced to be at their best defensively as United peppered the Bairns defence with swarms of attacks.

Samuel was a big thorn in the side of Falkirk throughout the game, forcing Howard into two good saves, while Kark Dodd produced a great tackle to deny the striker after a poor ball from Jean-Francois Lescinel.

Howard also denied Brebner twice before his best save of the match late in the game, tipping over Fernandez's fierce left-foot effort.

Apart from the goal, Falkirk threatened the United goal on very few occasions.

Cregg had a shot comfortably saved by Craig Samson, while a lob from Alan Gow forced the keeper to palm the ball over his crossbar.

Gow tried his luck again after the interval, but his left-foot drive from the edge of the area fizzed narrowly past the United goal.

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Falkirk: Howard, Rodrigues, Dodds, Lescinel, Ross (Lawrie 88), Cregg, Thomson, Craig, Milne, McBreen, Gow (Moutinho 85).
Subs Not Used: Ferguson, Latapy, Twaddle, Lima, O'Donnell.

Goal: Ross 23.

Dundee Utd: Samson, McCracken, Kenneth, Archibald, Mulgrew, Duff, Kerr, Brebner, Robson, Samuel, Fernandez (Goodwillie 86).
Subs Not Used: McLean, McInnes, Robertson, Cameron, Gardiner, Abbot.

Booked: Robson, McCracken, Kerr.

Att: 4,473

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).