Fast-starting Falkirk see off Morton challenge

Posted Sunday, March 11, 2018 by PA

Falkirk bounced back from their Scottish Cup defeat to Rangers by scoring three times in the opening half hour to clinch a 3-1 victory over Morton.

The Bairns were brushed aside 4-1 in last weekend’s quarter-final at Ibrox but responded superbly on their return to action in the Ladbrokes Championship as they went ahead as early as the fourth minute.

Aaron Muirhead, their goalscorer against the Gers, was also on target on Saturday afternoon when he slammed his penalty into the top corner after Ricki Lamie had tripped Andrew Nelson in the area.

Falkirk doubled their lead in the 18th minute when a quick counter ended with Louis Longridge playing through Nelson, who was able to dink over Morton goalkeeper Derek Gaston.

Alex Jakubiak ensured it would be a long way back for promotion-chasing Morton by firing home off the inside of the post from the edge of the area in the 30th minute.

Third-placed Morton were on a more even footing after the interval and Gary Harkins’ header in the first minute of injury-time gave them a consolation goal but Falkirk clinched a seventh win in their last 11 league games to move up to seventh in the standings.