Kilmarnock 2 Falkirk 1

Last updated : 17 May 2008 By Footymad Previewer
Kilmarnock finished a frustrating season on a high as they came from behind to beat Falkirk at Rugby Park.

After the sad pre-match tribute to former Killie favourite Tommy Burns, both sides looked to entertain the fans in a care-free game.

The Bairns took the lead in the 11th minute with their only chance of the first half. Pedro Moutinho collected the ball in midfield and drifted forward unchallenged before he struck a low 25-yard shot which beat Alan Combe low to his right.

Paul Dalglish should have put Killie in front a minute earlier after Danny Invincibile and David Fernandez had put him clear in the visitors box, but he blazed over the bar from 12 yards.

Kilmarnock enjoyed the bulk of possession with Mehdi Taouil pulling the Falkirk midfield out of shape, and he grabbed the 24th-minute equaliser.

James Fowler made ground on the left and cut the ball back to the Moroccan who attempted to place his shot to Robert Olejnik's left.

However, the keeper was wrong-footed by a deflection and, although he stretched to get his fingers to the ball, he could not stop it bobbling over the line.

Grant Murray's powerful drive then forced Olejnik to make a good save, but it remained 1-1 at half-time.

Fowler almost put Kilmarnock ahead within a minute of the re-start with a good run from midfield. He got past the last defender but placed his shot wide.

It was the start of a catalogue of missed chances for the home side. Dalglish's wretched day in front of goal continued as he spurned his second glorious chance of the game in the 55th minute.

Taouil played a sublime pass through the defence, but Dalglish delayed for a fraction and could only fire wide on the stretch.

Invincibile was the next Killie player to pass up a golden opportunity as he headed over from three yards after Murray's perfect cross, and David Lilley also headed wide with the keeper beaten in the 68th minute.

Two minutes later Invincibile was guilty again after a fine move had carved Falkirk wide open, but Olejnik got down well to save.

Substitute Paul Di Giacomo showed them how it was done with ten minutes left when he attacked Garry Hay's cross and sent an excellent downward header into the net off a post.