Composed Falkirk on the brink of knockout stages after convincing victory in Inverness
Falkirk are on the brink of qualification for the knockout stage of the Betfred Cup after a 2-0 success at Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The Bairns had a disappointing group campaign last seasonbutrepeatingtheirsuccess over Forfar or Brechin City in their remaining games will take them safely into the last 16 from Group A.
Joe Mckee gave Peter Houston’s side the lead on 21 minutes when he swept home an Alex Harris cutback and Nathan Austin curled home the second just before the break.
Caley Thistle looked to get back into things in the second half but Falkirk returned home with a clean sheet and manager Peter Houston said: “We scored good goals and managed the game. We did not qualify last season but we have a chance to do that this time if we continue to go about things correctly.”
The home side’s manager, John Robertson, pictured, said:“therewasalackofdesire and a lack of passion. That was disappointing.”
Stirling Albion sit a point behind Robertson’s team after enjoying a 3-1 win at Forfar. On-loan Hearts winger Callumn Morrison scored twice before the break to have the Forthbank men in control and Ross Kavanagh added the third midway through the second half. Mark Millar’s injurytime goal direct from a corner was the only consolation for the hosts.
Livingston are also close to extending their interest in the competition after their 2-0 success over visitors Airdrie.
Summer signing Dylan Mackin gave the Lions the lead midway through the first half from close range and Craig Halkett ensured his side moved to eight points, with a game against Stranraer to come, when he converted
Raffaelle De Vita’s cross early in the second half.
Dumbarton are unlikely to progress after going down 2-1 at Clyde to leave them pointless after two outings. The day had started well for the Sons, with Craig Barr heading in via the crossbar on 33 minutes. But Darren Miller levelled 12 minutes into the second half from 20 yards.
Max Wright squeezed in a second on 67 minutes to leave the Bully Wee level on points with Kilmarnock and Ayr. Arbroath sit second to Ross County in group dafter defeating angus rivals Montrose 4-0 at Gayfield. David Gold’s volley separated the sides at halftime, with new recruit Danny Denholm hitting a double before Steven Doris completed the scoring in injury time.
Queen’ s Park ruined Edinburgh City’ s first trip to ham pd en with a 3-0 success thanks to Dom Docherty’s first-half goal as well as Chris Mckee’s own goal and Anton Brady’s cross that became a shot after the break.
Albion Rovers travelled to East Kilbride and enjoyed a 5-2 success, with goals in the first five minutes by Alan Trouten and Gary Fisher putting them in control. Connor Shields hit a double before Sean Winter and an own goal by Michael Mcmullin brought East Kilbride alive, but Shields secured the win by completing his hat-trick.