The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
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The Dundee goal then came under threat shortly before half-time when Rory Loy hit an 18-yard shot which flashed just wide of the post.
The opening spell of the second half was a hugely frustrating one for Dundee as they struggled to carve out openings but they survived a huge scare on 60 minutes.
Iain Davidson mistimed a tackle on Millarinsidethehomepenaltyareaandreferee John McKendrick had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Millar picked himself up to take it but Letheren produced an outstanding save, diving to his left to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
That let-off really got the crowd going but Dundee could not capitalise as they huffed and puffed without creating chances worthy of the name.
They did have the ball in the back of the net deep into stoppage time but Mr McKendrick disallowed Declan Gallagher’s “goal” for a barge on McGovern.
And it was Falkirk who held on for a victory that revived their faint title hopes.
McCracken, who joined Gary Holt’s side last summer after not being offered a contract by St Johnstone, insists that the Bairns are not feeling the pressure of the title chase.
However, he would like nothing better than for Dundee and Hamilton to draw next week to give his side another chance of closing the gap at the top.
He added: “There are still going to be loads of twists and turns before the end of the season. It has been like that all along— it has been changing constantly at the top.
“Nobody has really taken a tight grip of it and said we are the ones who are going straight up.
“So we needed this massive result against Dundee to keep ourselves in it. Some people would have expected them to win and stretch their lead at the top so there was possibly less pressure on us.
“But we stood up to the challenge to get the win at what is a hard place to come to. I thought we adapted well and coped with their threats.
“Obviously, the Hamilton result helped us. We are taking it one game at a time and will now just move on.
“Hamilton and Dundee play next week so that’s a big one for us as well and we would hope for a draw there.
“But we just have to look after ourselves and keep plugging away.”
McCracken’s manager Holt could not hide his delight at the result and the performance.
He said: “I thought to a man, they were exceptional and stood up to the test.
“There were a lot of direct balls into our box but they put their heads in where it hurts.
“We got a good goal and perhaps should have had another one from the penalty but it is a great three points.
“There is no pressure on us as if Dundee or Hamilton win all their games we cannot catch them.We just want to continue to apply the pressure to the teams above us.”