DUNFERMLINE 0

FALKIRK 1 RUDDEN (71)

A stunning second-half strike from on-loan Rangers youngster Zak Rudden gave Falkirk only their second league victory of the season

– a result which manager Ray McKinnon hopes can kickstart a change in their fortunes.

“I’m hoping this can be a turning point,” said McKinnon afterwards.

“It’s been a long time coming, but our hard work is starting to pay off.

“We’re fighting for our lives, so a 1-0 derby win, away from home, is a great result. I can’t give the players enough credit.”

It doesn’t generally take much to motivate the players of either side when these two meet and it was Dunfermline who were quick to demonstrate their intentions in the opening stages, almost opening the scoring no more than 35 seconds after referee Andrew Dallas had signalled kick-off.

However, Andy Ryan fired tamely into the hands of Leonardo Fasan from three yards out after the Falkirk keeper had produced an outstanding save from a Kallum Higginbotham thunderbolt.

Former Falkirk midfielder Higginbotham then released Joe Thomson, whose shot was deflected wide.

Higginbotham and Myles Hippolyte – another ex-Bairn – were causing problems for the visiting defenders with their powerful running on either wing and, although they helped create numerous scoring opportunities during a one-sided first half, the game remained goalless at the interval.

It was Falkirk who almost broke the deadlock four minutes after the restart, Paul Paton’s 20-yarder rebounding from Robinson’s crossbar.

A period of relentless Dunfermline pressure followed, but they always looked vulnerable on the break and were punished in 71 minutes when Rudden sent an unsaveable low shot past the diving Robinson to give Falkirk a much-needed victory.