Sibbald is the hero twice over for Bairns

CRAIG SIBBALD was the hero at both ends of the pitch for Falkirk as they held on for an important win in their battle to clamber clear of the relegation zone.

The 22-year-old midfielder, who spent three months out with a thigh tear before returning last month, scored his first goal of the season after Morton failed to deal with a Louis Longridge corner on 20 minutes. Sibbald then hacked clear a goalbound Tam O’Ware header in the closing stages as the Bairns dug in for victory.

Paul Hartley’s side were easily the more fluent of the two teams throughout and dominated the opening half-hour. But Sibbald’s late intervention was their third goal-line clearance of the game and came at a time when it looked as though Morton’s physical approach might just earn a share of the spoils.

Although remaining in ninth position ahead of doomed Brechin City, Falkirk are now level on points with Dumbarton and Hartley is convinced there is much more to come, with new signings Longridge and on-loan Sunderland striker Andrew Nelson linking well up front within a new system.

‘It was a terrific result after the midweek game,’ said Hartley, whose inconsistent side were thumped 4-1 in Inverness shortly after recording a 6-1 triumph over Dundee United.

‘The team is beginning to gel and I can see really positive signs.

‘We knew it was a tough challenge when we took the job over, but the players have responded well and we’ve had new additions to the group.

‘Nelson is a handful and probably should have scored. He has a really nice partnership with Longridge.’

Nelson flashed two great chances wide in the opening quarter-hour before Sibbald pounced after goalkeeper Derek Gaston had failed to claim a Longridge corner, seeing his low drive through a ruck of players take a slight deflection before going in.

It was not until 11 minutes before the interval that Morton really threatened, forcing the first of those goal-line clearances. A Gary Harkins corner made its way to Robert Thomson and his effort was booted away by Reghan Tumilty.

Thomson was denied again on 43 minutes, moments after Longridge had hit the woodwork at the other end, when Tom Taiwo stopped his header under the crossbar. And Sibbald was on hand to deny O’Ware from a Scott Tiffoney corner on 85 minutes.

‘We had at least three cleared off the line but, for whatever reason, the second balls aren’t landing for us,’ said Morton manager Jim Duffy.