Falkirk 0 Dundee United 0

Despite a strong defensive performance, a lack of belief in the final third meant United left Falkirk with only one point today. 

The game started evenly with both teams seeming to cancel each other out. As the midway point of the first half came about United won themselves their second corner of the game. McMullan’s cross looped in high and Durnan headed it over the bar. United continued to play the ball forward with King having a chance to take a shot from just outside the box. He opted to pass the ball into the box with it being smothered by the Bairns defence. 

By Alasdair Marnoch

As the half hour mark approached Fyvie volleyed the ball from just outside the area and it glanced the goalkeeper's right hand upright. Five minutes later Falkirk came close to bagging the first goal of the game with a thundering header from Sibbald skimming the bar and going over. 

United came alive in the final five minutes of the half and won themselves a free kick 20 yards outside of Falkirk’s box. Durnan struggled to get enough contact on the ball with his head and after a scramble in the box the ball went out for a corner. United ended the first half on top with a diving header from Scott McDonald going over the bar although the striker would have expected to do better with what was to turn out to be the chance of the match.

Second Half: 

The second half started with United continuing to make chances and crossing the ball into the box without capitalising on the opportunities that they were creating for themselves. 

The final minutes were frustrating to watch for both sets of fans with the game being littered with fouls and yellow cards. Both teams kept going trying to find a winner but the final whistle was greeted with discontent from all areas of the stands.

Dundee United: Lewis, Durnan, Quinn (Edjenguele), Toshney, McMullan, McDonald, King (Keatings), Stanton, Robson, Briels, Fyvie 

Subs not used: Mehmet, Murdoch, Flood, Allardice 

Falkirk: Thomson, McGhee, McKee (Craigen), Kerr, Sibbald, Harris, Balatoni, Gallacher, Blues (Miller), Loy 

Subs not used: Mitchell, Grant, Austin, Gasparotto, O’Hara 

Referee: John Beaton 

Attendance: 4864