Bairns too strong as tough times continue

championship: Glebe Park men battle hard but first win still eludes them

FALKIRK 3 BRECHIN CITY 1

Brechin City’s long and frustrating wait for a first Championship victory goes on after they fell to yet another plucky defeat at Falkirk.

It did not take long for this rearranged fixture to turn into a familiar tale for the part-timers as they slipped behind after just 12 minutes and further in arrears by the 28th minute.

Bolstered by a debut for on-loan Livingston striker Dylan Mackin in attack, Darren Dods’ side were lively in spells and could have equalised with a Sean Crighton header in the first half.

However, after Alex Jakubiak’s early breakthrough, Falkirk added a second with Rory Loy’s first goal of the season and seemed to be cruising to victory.

Brechin proved the fight has not gone from them when they inspired hopes of a comeback with Mackin’s strike midway through the second half.

Only three minutes later, however, Falkirk restored their advantage with a Louis Longridge goal to dispel any notions of a City equaliser and of them making inroads into their 16-point deficit at the foot of the table.

“It’s just about taking care of the ball at 2-1,” said Dods. “If we could have gone another 10 minutes at 2-1 we could have had a right go in the last 10 minutes, but we gave them the impetus and if you give good players chances they will punish you.

“The players always give us everything. Every Tuesday and Thursday, whether it’s raining or snow or ice, they come and train, and train hard and listen. But it’s that wee individual error and at a higher level you will get punished.”

Jakubiak was a constant thorn in City’s defence but the on-loan Watford forward did not have to work hard for the opener.

Graeme Smith conceded a corner as he back-pedalled to turn a deflected Longridge shot past and then the Brechin keeper flapped at Craig Sibbald’s corner to allow Jakubiak the chance to force the ball over the line.

Crighton’s header from a Callum Morrison free-kick drifted just past in the 27th minute and seconds later the visitors slipped further behind.

The impressive Longridge surged to the by-line and his cutback was gleefully turned in from six yards out by Loy.

The Angus men pulled one back in the 67th minute when Mackin seized on a loose ball to drill beyond Conor Hazard.

However, Longridge then picked up a loose pass before drifting into the box and fired a cool finish beyond Smith.

Falkirk: Hazard, Muirhead, McGhee, Watson, Tumility, McKee (Taiwo 78), Sibbald (Blair 74), Robson, Longridge, Jakubiak (O’Hara 84), Loy. Subs not used: Thomson, Kidd, Grant. Booked: Robson.

Brechin: Graeme Smith, Crighton, Fusco, Dyer, Spark, Tapping, Dale (Lynas 79), Euan Smith, Morrison (Layne 86), Mackin, Orsi (Watt 46). Subs not used: Sinclair, Graham, O’Neil. Booked: Crighton, Dale, Spark, Fusco.

Attendance: 4,214.

Referee: Mat Northcroft.

The players always give us everything. Every Tuesday and Thursday, whether it’s raining or snow or ice, they come and train, and train hard and listen. DARREN DODS

Picture: SNS. Dylan Mackin, on loan from Livingston, netted on his debut for Brechin.