Higginbotham shows his worth to the Pars

WHILE Kallum Higginbotham’s last visit to the Falkirk Stadium was defined by petulance, yesterday’s virtuoso display was an illustration of quality and character as he tormented his former employers.

The Dunfermline midfielder, dismissed in the 1-1 draw between these sides in November, opened the scoring via a drive from distance which fizzed beyond Conor Hazard via a wicked deflection off Tommy Robson.

‘I’m delighted for Higgy, because in the last game here, he let himself and his teammates down,’ said Pars manager Allan Johnston.

‘He is a big player for us. It’s no coincidence that our fortunes have turned around since he’s started playing well.’

Fraser Aird, another ex-Bairn, doubled the Pars’ advantage after the break when he converted a low cross.

Aaron Muirhead’s late penalty kick set up a tense finish but Falkirk boss Paul Hartley rued: ‘I don’t feel we started to play until we were 2-0 down, which is too late.’