Higginbotham thrilled to help Pars end wait to down rivals

Indiscipline costs Falkirk as East End Park men secure the three points

Dunfermline star Kallum Higginbotham was delighted to be on the right side of the result as he helped the Pars to their first victory over bitter rivals Falkirk in more than six years at East End Park on Saturday.

He helped set the home men on their way playing a pinpoint pass into the path of Declan McManus which allowed the striker to slot home as early as the fifth minute giving the hosts a lead they would never surrender.

Higginbotham was in jubilant mood after the game, saying: “Thrilled with that, it was our aim to go out and get the three points.

“We didn’t manage to get a win against them last year so this time first game against our biggest rivals it’s great to get the victory.

“I think if you look at our games we have come out flying it gives us a platform to build on, what better way to do it than to get two goals in the first 11 minutes it gives us something to build on.”

Higginbotham’s side did indeed come out of the traps on fire and as mentioned were in front within five minutes, better was to come after just 11 minutes as a Ryan Williamson cross was met by man of the match Joe Cardle to complete a dream start for Allan Johnston’s men.

The Pars were rampant and should have added a third only for Callum Smith’s effort to come back off the post after he had been set free by McManus on the half hour mark.

Falkirk boss Peter Houston must have had some stern words to say to his men at half-time but his efforts to fire them up went awry as last year’s Championship runners up lost all discipline at the start of the second half.

Craig Sibbald received a straight red for lashing out after an innocuous Williamson challenge after 51 minutes and Lee Miller, who only came on at the break, saw red on the hour for needlessly throwing a forearm at Nat Wedderburn.

Both players left referee John Beaton no option but to send them for an early bath.

Remarkably though this seemed to galvanise the visitors who had their best spell of the match and a nervy end was to come for the Pars as Tom Taiwo slotted home after a Tony Gallacher effort had rebounded off the post with 10 minutes to go.

Dunfermline were not to be denied victory though and sealed the deal in injury time when Cardle ran clear on the break and finished well to send the home fans into delirium.

Higginbotham, who was actually a Falkirk player the last time the Pars tasted victory, said: “When I was at Falkirk the Dunfermline fans probably hated me but roles are reversed now.

“I got a lot of stick today and it’s great to get that victory. I thrive off it and its great banter but the Falkirk fans are going home crying tonight and I’m going home happy.”

“When I was at Falkirk the Dunfermline fans probably hated me but roles are reversed now. KALLUM HIGGINBOTHAM

Picture: Craig Brown. Joe Cardle celebrates after netting the Pars’ third goal.