Hippolyte conjures up piece of magic to seal derby glory

FALKIRK manager Peter Houston was relieved to oversee a 2-1 derby day victory against fierce rivals Dunfermline.

Houston watched his side dominate much of the match, but he was given a late scare by their visitors from Fife.

Goals from Craig Sibbald and a moment of Myles Hippolyte magic had given his team a commanding lead, but former Bairn Farid El Alagui’s late strike made for a nervy finish.

‘All week we’ve been getting it into the players’ heads how important this match is to the fans and I thought we deserved the result,’ said Houston.

Falkirk should have been ahead when Hippolyte slipped in John Baird, but Pars goalkeeper Sean Murdoch was out quickly to smother the ball.

Houston’s men took the lead in the 27th minute. The lively Baird collected midway inside the opposition half and drove forward. He clipped the ball over the top to Sibbald, who in turn lobbed it over the on-rushing Murdoch.

The Bairns began to control the match and went close through Mark Kerr, Bob McHugh and Sibbald in quick succession as the Pars struggled to gain a foothold in the match.

Falkirk deservedly doubled their advantage five minutes after the break through Hippolyte.

Terrific build-up play found the rangy winger in space, and he then did brilliantly to skip past two defenders before unleashing a low drive past the keeper from the edge of the box.

Completely against the run of play El Alagui pulled one back for the visitors on 75 minutes, latching onto David Hopkirk’s deflected shot before rounding keeper Danny Rogers.

Dejected Pars boss Allan Johnston said: ‘We’re putting ourselves under pressure and having to chase games just because we’re losing soft goals.’