Return to action for weather-beaten sides proves to be frustrating

LIVINGSTON 0 0

Falkirk manager Paul Hartley’s long wait for a first win in the Bairns dugout was prolonged last night after his side fought out a goal-less draw at Livingston.

An encouraging performance yielded plenty of goalscoring opportunities for the visitors but wayward finishing and solid goalkeeping from Neil Alexander ensured Falkirk’s scoring drought extended to four games.

The result leaves the Lions fourth in the Championship and Hartley’s side in the playoff relegation place, eight points adrift of eighth place Dumbarton.

The patience of these two teams has been tested in recent weeks after each of their last three matches fell victim to the cold snap. It has been an excruciating waiting game for Hartley, too, and his eighth game also passed by without a win.

Falkirk winger Louis Longridge, pictured, set the tone for a bright start by having a close-range shot saved by Livingston goalkeeper Alexander.

Veteran Bairns striker Lee Miller then headed a teasing Tony Gallacher shot wide before rifling a halfvolley just over the bar from a Jordan Mcghee free kick.

Reghan Tumilty swept a left-footed shot just over from another Gallacher cross in the 27th minute.

Livingston had a rare sight of goal six minutes before the break following a Aaron Muirhead error but James Penrice’s shot from an angle inside the area flashed past the far post.

The visitors continued to look the more likely to score following the restart and Alexander was called on again to palm Longridge’s stinging drive behind for a corner.

But it was Falkirk who heaved a huge sigh of relief on 65 minutes when Penrice’s looping header came back off the bar following Mcghee’s poor defence clearance.

Both sets of players ensured there was a competitive edge to the match right up until 90 minutes but there was not enough to break the deadlock.