CHAMPIONSHIP

Falkirk Morton

THOSE in charge of the pre-match tunes at the Falkirk Stadium did their bit to set the scene with a medley of music from famous movie soundtracks, and what followed could have been scripted in Tinseltown.

Kudus Oyenuga, the luckless Morton striker who has battled a persistent hamstring strain this season, climbed from the bench to score his first goal in four months. On his birthday.

It was a welcome dramatic late twist in a contest that did not exactly serve up blockbuster fare, ensuring the Greenock outfit moved level on points with the Bairns in second spot in the Championship.

Indeed, they are only seven points behind Hibernian, with a game in hand and two fixtures against the capital club in the next three weeks. Do the dark horses in the race for promotion dare to dream of a title triumph worthy of the silver screen?

“Kudus has had a tough time with injury and you are always delighted when they can come back and make a key contribution,” said Morton boss Jim Duffy.

“It was his birthday too, he’s just turned 24. It was the ideal day for him. We are just happy to be challenging at the right end of the table, but if you start to look to far ahead, that is when you fall flat on your face.”

Morton carved out a wonderful opportunity on the half-hour mark when a delightfully worked free-kick saw Ross Forbes slip a reverse-pass to Gary Oliver, whose chip to the back-post was met by Thomas O’Ware.

However, the prolific defender could not add to his 10 goals this term, volleying over from eight yards. The defining moment of the contest came with 11 minutes to play when Oyenuga met an Aidan Nesbitt delivery to loop home the winner.

Falkirk came within a lick of paint of equalising immediately after the restart when Nathan Austin saw a header of his own strike the post. “But you can’t dwell on what might have been, we just need to prepare, go to Easter Road and hopefully start another run,” admitted Falkirk assistant James McDonaugh.

HIBERNIAN were given a timely reminder that they will not be handed the Championship title on a plate. Dumbarton are scrapping for every point to avoid the drop and forced a 2-2 draw at Easter Road on a day when the three teams beneath them in the table all won.

Christian Nade put them ahead from the penalty spot after David Gray had fouled Andy Stirling in the penalty area.

Hibs improved after the break and Alan Martin pulled off a fine save to deny James Keatings just after the break.

An own-goal from Daniel Harvie finally gave Hibs fans something to cheer but Robert Thomson put Dumbarton back in front with a stunning strike shortly afterwards.

Keatings should have equalised when Hibs were awarded a disputed penalty but Martin leapt across his goal to pushed the ball for a corner. But Martin was at fault with Hibs’ equaliser when he dropped the ball and Martin Boyle scrambled the loose ball home.

Dundee United continued their slide and lost 2-1 at Raith Rovers. The home side who took the lead four minutes from the break when Craig Barr headed home from a free-kick.

Hardie doubled Raith’s advantage at the start of the second half when he beat Bell with a left-foot shot. Dundee United pulled a goal back through Simon Murray but it was not enough.

Bottom-of-the-table St Mirren won 2-0 at Queen of the South. Queens hit woodwork twice in the first half but it was St Mirren who took the lead against the run of play when Stevie Mallan netted with a superb strike after being picked out by Lewis Morgan.

Rory Loy put them further in front from the penalty spot after 54 minutes when Morgan was felled and Queens could not find a way back. Ayr United kept ahead of St Mirren with a 1-0 win at Dunfermline Athletic.

Dunfermline dominated much of the game and Michael Moffat struck the inside of the post early on. Greg Fleming tipped a Moffat shot over the crossbar at the start of the second half as Dunfermline continued to press. But Ayr scored the only goal moments later when a Ross Docherty header crept into the net in a crowded area from a corner-kick.

“We’re delighted to get the three points, especially as several of the players are either ill or not fit,” said United manager Ian McCall.