Dundee United 1-2 Falkirk

Russell Latapy (facing) celebrates his equaliser for Falkirk

Falkirk deservedly took all three points with a composed and impressive win at Tannadice against lacklustre Dundee United.

The Bairns had dominated possession for long spells and even though Barry Robson put United ahead in the first-half, Russell Latapy equalised.

The Trinidadian was superb all afternoon and he dictated proceedings before the visitors went in front.

Liam Craig drove home an angled shot after a Latapy assist for the win.

United player-manager Craig Brewster included himself in the starting line-up alongside new summer signing from Dunfermline Noel Hunt.

However home defenders Garry Kenneth and midfielder Greg Cameron were both missing after helping Scotland to the final of the Under-19 European Championships in Poland.

Falkirk head coach John Hughes handed goalkeeper Scott Higgins a start ahead of Jeroen Lambers.

But the Bairns were without midfielders Patrick Cregg and Stephen O'Donnell through suspension and Steven Thomson because of an ankle injury.

Falkirk were first to swiftly threaten.

From the kick-off, Liam Craig found space 25 yards out, but his tame shot dribbled past the post. The visitors settled into the game first, with veteran Russell Latapy eager to make his mark

His prompting appeared to have paid off in the 10th minute when Pedro Moutinho had the ball in the net from Kenny Milne's centre, only to be denied the opener by an offside flag.

United goalkeeper Derek Stillie then made a good save to thwart the Portuguese marksman's swerving shot after an impressive run taking him past Alan Archibald and Barry Robson.

Seconds later, Stillie held Alan Gow's effort as the Bairns began to take a grip on proceedings, but, after Hunt earned the game's first booking for a lunge on Milne, United took a surprise lead.

Barry Robson's surge from left-back saw his initial shot blocked by Tom Scobbie.

But the winger was first to the loose ball and curled his effort past debutant Higgins at the second attempt.

However, Falkirk responded in superb fashion with Latapy's equaliser.

The former Rangers and Hibernian player nonchalantly drove in a 25-yard free-kick, underlining his impact on the first-half.

The Bairns regained control of the second period and it wasn't long before they put United under some serious pressure, and were rewarded by grabbing their second.

Latapy was the instigator with some brilliant intricate play on the edge of the box and, when he got the break of the ball, a superb threaded pass played in Craig.

The former Ipswich youngster made no mistake, driving his shot across Stillie and into the net from an angle.

Brewster allowed his frustrations to boil over as referee Charlie Richmond made him the game's third booking.

United failed to find an equaliser in front of their own fans, as the game slid away with the Bairns going home happy.

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Dundee Utd: Stillie, Mair, McCracken, Archibald, Duff, Kerr, Conway (Miller 54), Robson, Robb, Hunt (Samuel 72), Brewster (Robertson 70). Subs Not Used: McLean, Gardiner, Easton, Burnett. Booked: Hunt, Brewster, Miller. Goals: Robson 17.

Falkirk: Higgins, Ross, Dodd, Milne, Barr, Scobbie, Latapy, Craig, Lima, Gow, Moutinho. Subs Not Used: Lambers, Ireland, Mcstay, Rodrigues, Churchill, Allison, Roberston. Booked: Craig, Scobbie, Moutinho. Goals: Latapy 23, Craig 59.

Att: 6,616

Ref: C Richmond