Boss hails a Magic show
Al: We’ve timed our run to perfection
Falkirk ........................ 1 Dunfermline ............. 2 Colin Paterson Allan Johnston reckons his Pars derby heroes have hit form at just the right time.
Ex-Bairns Kallum Higginbotham and Fraser Aird netted to make it four wins in five games for Dunfermline.
Aaron Muirhead’s penalty set up a nervy finish but the third-placed Fifers survived to move five points clear in the play-off zone.
And boss “Magic” Johnston said: “We’re delighted to get the win in such an important game.
“We were outstanding, especially in the first half, with some of the football we played and chances we
created. Falkirk threw everything at us at the end but the boys put their bodies in the way to stop shots.
“The players are full of confidence and we’ve got a bit of momentum but we must stay focused.”
There was a terrific atmosphere as Pars keeper Lee Robinson made an early save from Andrew Nelson before Dunfermline took charge.
But they needed a slice of luck to break the deadlock in 24 minutes as Higginbotham’s 25-yarder took a wicked deflection past on-loan Celtic stopper Conor Hazard.
The keeper’s next action was a brilliant save from Nicky Clark.
Falkirk were 2-0 down within three minutes of the restart.
A low fizzer across the face of goal from Declan McManus found Aird who tapped home at the back post.
Falkirk got a goal back in 79 minutes when Muirhead sent Robinson the wrong way from the spot after Clark’s foul on Jordan McGhee.
But the hosts couldn’t force a leveller and gaffer Paul Hartley said: “We lost two poor goals.”