Falkirk conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose 2-1 to Dundee at The Falkirk Stadium, a result that leaves them 11th in the Scottish Premiership with six points from eight games. Ashley Hay scored the winner in the first minute of added time, completing a turnaround after Owen Bevan had cancelled out Jacob Murrell's first-half penalty.
Jacob Murrell put John McGlynn's side ahead from the spot in the 31st minute. The penalty was awarded after Finley Barbrook was brought down by Dundee's Callum Jones. Murrell sent his kick emphatically into the net. "Jacob Murrell converted emphatically from the penalty spot to put John McGlynn’s side ahead," the manager said afterwards.
Dundee hit back after the break
Dundee levelled the score seven minutes into the second half. Drey Wright clipped a cross back into the area from the right and Owen Bevan rose to head home from six yards. The equaliser shifted the momentum of the match, which had seen Falkirk create the better early chances. After 12 minutes, Drey Wright had attempted an audacious 60-yard free-kick that forced Scott Bain into a scrambling tip over the bar. "I spotted Scott Bain off his line and attempted an audacious lob from a free kick," Wright explained.
Falkirk pushed for a winner themselves in the latter stages, with Ben Krauhaus forcing a save from Dundee keeper Owen Goodman. At the other end, Bradley Fink had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR in the 63rd minute. The game seemed headed for a draw until the first minute of stoppage time.
Hay delivers the late blow
A set piece decided the contest. Dundee captain Ethan Hamilton delivered a free-kick into the Falkirk box and the ball fell to Ashley Hay, who turned it past Bain from close range. The goal was a painful return for Hay, who was making his comeback after being out since early August with a ligament sprain. The defeat extends Falkirk's inconsistent recent form, which reads one win, two draws and two losses from their last five league matches.
The result leaves Falkirk in 11th place, just one point above the relegation play-off spot. They have scored seven goals but conceded 11 this season, giving them a goal difference of minus four. John McGlynn made one enforced change to his starting lineup, with Lewis Neilson replacing the injured Deniss Melniks. The attendance at The Falkirk Stadium was 7,101.
Falkirk's next match is away to Hibernian on Saturday, 17 October. Hibernian currently sit 10th, one place and one point above Falkirk, making it a significant fixture at the bottom end of the table.
The original report is at falkirkherald.co.uk
The defeat to Dundee leaves Falkirk 11th in the Premiership with six points from eight games. Manager John McGlynn confirmed the club's injury situation has worsened, stating, "We have lost Finley Barbrook for a number of weeks." The midfielder, who won the penalty against Dundee, sustained a hamstring injury. This compounds the absence of Deniss Melniks, who missed that match. The squad's depth will be tested for the trip to Hibernian.
Manager John McGlynn admitted a costly theme is developing after Falkirk's 2-1 loss to Dundee. "Unfortunately for us there's a theme developing," McGlynn said, referencing late concessions. He confirmed his side have now conceded stoppage-time goals in three of their last five matches, including the 1-1 draw with St Johnstone where Enes Alic scored in the 96th minute. The manager stated the issue must stop immediately. Falkirk, 11th with six points from eight games, also had a late penalty claim denied when Craig Sibbald was challenged.
