The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Higginbotham has the answer for boo-boys
Former Bairns star pulls strings as Pars build momentum in play-off push
FALKIRK 1 DUNFERMLINE 2
Dunfermline star Kallum Higginbotham insists he is mystified by the hostile reception he now endures at the Falkirk Stadium, but is adamant it makes beating the Bairns even sweeter.
Higginbotham, said he received “dog’s abuse” from the first whistle on Saturday, but silenced his detractors with a virtuoso showing. He was involved in everything good about a fine Pars display and opened the scoring with a deflected drive beyond Conor Hazard.
Fraser Aird doubled the visitors’ advantage before Allan Johnston’s men held firm in the face of the late barrage in the aftermath of Aaron Muirhead’s clinically converted penalty.
The celebrations that followed Higginbotham’s opener brought fury raining down from the stands, as he thumped the Dunfermline badge in front of those home fans who idolised him during a successful spell at Falkirk between 2010 and 2012.
It would be easy to pinpoint his decision to join the Fifers, crossing the Kincardine Bridge divide, as the moment the ill-feeling began. Or his red card when the sides last met.
But Higginbotham believes attitudes towards him changed when he was on the books of Kilmarnock, and struggles to explain it.
“That’s two I’ve got against them this season so I think I’ve come out on top,” he said.
“I thought a few of them were going to jump the advertising boards and run on to the pitch when I was celebrating. But they gave me dog’s abuse, so you’ve got to be able to take a little bit back. It’s part and parcel of the game.”
He added: I loved my time at Falkirk and don’t have a bad word to say about the club, but if they are giving me stick, I’ll give a little back.”
Given the scenes which marred the last meeting of the two clubs, this clash stayed the right side of the incendiary.
Nevertheless, the atmosphere was electric as both sides threatened early.
Only a last-gasp challenge by Lee Ashcroft stopped Andrew Nelson from firing the Bairns into the lead following a low Craig Sibbald cross, while Ryan Williamson rippled the side-netting from a tight angle in response.
However, it would be Higginbotham, pulling the strings, who opened the scoring, albeit with a sizeable chunk of good fortune. His ferocious drive from distance took a deflection off Tommy Robson and spun past Hazard.
With muted celebrations against former clubs now increasingly the norm, it is fair to say the Englishman eschewed that trend.
Only a wonderful low save from Hazard stopped the Pars from doubling their advantage, with the on-loan Celtic goalkeeper plunging to deny a pointblank Nicky Clark header.
Dunfermline struck again four minutes after the break. A slick attack culminated in Declan McManus sliding a low cross to the back-post, where Aird was on-hand to tap into an empty net.
The Bairns did at least show some gumption after Aird’s strike.
A grandstand finale was assured when referee Don Robertson adjudged Nicky Clark to have tripped Jordan McGhee in the box as the defender attempted to convert a loose ball. Muirhead slotted home his fifth successful penalty-kick of the campaign, but the Pars stood firm.
The Pars have taken 17 points from a possible 21 in the Championship and are garnering momentum as they seek to cement their play-off berth.
Johnston added: “We just have to make sure that we continue this form because we have a bit of momentum just now. We have a lot of massive games coming up. We have to be fully focused because if you ease off a wee bit in this league you get punished.”
We just have to make sure we continue this form because we have a bit of momentum just now. ALLAN JOHNSTON