The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Young says East Fife were unfortunate in narrow loss to Bairns
Darren Young couldn’t be hard on his East Fife side despite watching them lose out at the Falkirk Stadium.
East Fife, who remain at the foot of League One, had led the Bairns on their own patch thanks to Kieran Millar’s first-half goal.
But strikes after the break from Michael Ruth and Aidan Keena turned the game on its head.
Despite losing their lead and then going behind, Young was satisfied with the effort and attitude of his men.
He said: “I can’t ask for any more from the players. That’s the first quarter away now and we haven’t got anywhere near the points total that we’d like.
“We’ve played everyone and, at times, there hasn’t been much between any of the teams.
“But being ruthless and taking chances is a big part of the game. Had we got a point it would have been a fair result.”
Danny Denholm was a threat down the wing and he had a hand in the opening goal of the game.
The winger’s cross into the box couldn’t be cleared by the home defence and first to latch onto it in front of goal was Millar who made no mistake from close range.
The lead didn’t flatter the Fifers who were by far the better team during the first half.
Crucially, though, they failed to add to their advantage when on top, something they would be punished for.
Falkirk boss Paul Sheerin replaced Paul Dixon for Keena at the interval – and it was a change which completely shifted the momentum of the game and Falkirk were much improved.
The hosts took the lead on the hour mark when Ruth smashed a magnificent long-range effort beyond Smith.
The play flowed from end to end as both sides searched for the game’s crucial third goal.
It was the hosts who would eventually find it, Keena heading his side in front.
East Fife weren’t done, though, and battled back.
In the closing seconds only a terrific stop from Paddy Martin denied Aaron Steele from making it 2-2 before Scott Mercer’s effort clipped the outside of the post.
Kelty Hearts extended their unbeaten run to nine games with a 2-1 win over Annan to consolidate top spot in cinch League Two.
Midfielder Jamie Barjonas broke the deadlock with a low strike in the 37 th minute, but Tony Wallace had Annan level just before half-time at New Central Park.
The Maroon Machine, though, rallied in the second half and Kallum Higginbotham struck with 16 minutes left when his long-range effort went in off a post.