Falkirk 0-0 Kelty Hearts: Bairns winless League One run stretches to three games after bore draw

Falkirk’s winless League One run stretched to three matches on Friday night as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by eighth-placed Kelty Hearts at home.
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That result now leaves the Bairns eight points behind leaders Dunfermline, who are still to play, facing Montrose at Links Park tomorrow afternoon. Third-placed Airdrie are also now only six points behind John McGlynn's side after they defeated Clyde 5-1.

Falkirk started the match on top but it was the visitors who had the first chance of the game, with Alfredo Agyeman’s low cross finding Nathan Austin at the back post – but the striker fluffed his lines and couldn’t covert.

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The Bairns then had the next chance, with Callumn Morrison being guilty of picking the wrong option in front of goal. Aidan Nesbitt’s neat through-pass found the winger and he had the full goal to aim at, but he instead choose to try and pass the ball across the box when it wasn’t on.

Max Kucheriavyi looks to control the ball under pressure from Kelty Hearts' Joe Cardle (Pictures by Michael Gillen)Max Kucheriavyi looks to control the ball under pressure from Kelty Hearts' Joe Cardle (Pictures by Michael Gillen)
Max Kucheriavyi looks to control the ball under pressure from Kelty Hearts' Joe Cardle (Pictures by Michael Gillen)

In the 27th minute, Falkirk thought they had found an opener when Morrison netted from close range, only for the linesman to call off the goal for offside.

Coll Donaldson’s shot from range was parried by Darren Jamieson in goal and the ball landed at the feet of Morrison, who was onside when he slotted home, but his teammate Kai Kennedy was offside and was he adjudged to have intervened in play.

The remainder of the half saw McGlynn’s men dominate possession without really showing a clinical touch in that final moment.

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Five minutes into the second half, Falkirk had a solid penalty claim turned down by referee Ross Hardie when Morrison was hauled down by Thomas O’Ware.

Callumn Morrison cuts a frustrated figure after his effort at goal flashes past the post against Kelty HeartsCallumn Morrison cuts a frustrated figure after his effort at goal flashes past the post against Kelty Hearts
Callumn Morrison cuts a frustrated figure after his effort at goal flashes past the post against Kelty Hearts

The defender had his two hands on the winger, who had turned him in the box, but the man in middle waved on play.

McGlynn made numerous attacking changes but they failed to make a real impact on the game.

Brad McKay had a header cleared off the line in the 70th minute, and substitute Ola Lawal fired over late on in the box, but they couldn’t find a winning goal.

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Next up for Falkirk is a trip to Hamilton to face second bottom Clyde, who look destined to finish in the relegation play-off spot.

Morrison is felled by Kelty Hearts' Thomas O'Ware in the box in the second halfMorrison is felled by Kelty Hearts' Thomas O'Ware in the box in the second half
Morrison is felled by Kelty Hearts' Thomas O'Ware in the box in the second half

Teams

Falkirk: Kinnear, Rowe, McKay, Donaldson, McCann, Henderson, Kucheriavyi, Nesbitt, Morrison, Kennedy, Oliver.

Subs: Morrison, Williamson, Allan, McGuffie, Yeats, Wright, Burrell, Lawal, Mackie.

Kelty: Jamieson, Megwa, O’Ware, Martin, Cardle, Austin, Barjonas, Tidser, Milne, Agyeman, Thomson.

Subs: McCulloch, Shearer, Campbell, Leitch, Hill, Philp, Darge.

Referee: Ross Hardie.

Attendance: 3,367.