Barney Stewart continued his impressive goalscoring form to send Falkirk on their way to the Scottish Cup semi-finals with the opener in a 2-1 victory over Dundee United.
Stewart and Finn Yeats both headed Falkirk into a commanding position before substitute Julius Eskesen struck in first-half stoppage-time with United’s first effort of note.
The goal sparked United into life but Zac Sapsford could not capitalise on two excellent chances and the visiting fans showed their frustration as the final whistle consigned them to what looks an uninspiring end to the season.
Jim Goodwin’s side trail sixth-placed Falkirk by nine points with four games left until the William Hill Premiership split and the Bairns still have the chance to add cup glory to a likely top-half finish.
Their previous semi-final appearance came just three years ago when they were a League 1 side in manager John McGlynn’s first campaign in charge.
Falkirk opened the scoring inside nine minutes after Ashley Maynard-Brewer could only palm the ball high into the air following Brad Spencer’s side-footed shot from 20 yards. Stewart nodded home his seventh goal since returning from a loan spell with Dunfermline in January.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Yeats ran in between two United defenders at the near post and guided Leon McCann’s inviting cross into the far corner.
Falkirk’s superior movement off the ball was allowing them to be far more incisive on the ball and more threatening in attack.
The hosts had chances to go three ahead. Maynard-Brewer clawed McCann’s cross away from underneath the bar and Calvin Miller was played through, only for Luca Stephenson to take the ball off his toes.
The visiting fans were venting their anger and were no doubt gearing up for some major jeers at the half-time whistle. The complexion of the game changed though and they ended up cheering their team off.
Max Watters was the catalyst, winning the ball and setting up Will Ferry to drive to the byline, where he cut back for Eskesen, who was on for the injured Kristijan Trapanovski.
The Dane steered the ball in off Scott Bain’s diving body to double his United goal tally.
United came back out after the interval with far more zest and Bain made an impressive stop to deny Sapsford after the Australian’s one-two with Watters.
Goodwin sent on Johnny Russell and the new signing immediately showed his class with a clever touch that allowed Ferry to cut the ball back for Sapsford. The Australian hit the inside of the post.
Falkirk began to control possession again and manage the game much better and their fans appeared to thoroughly enjoy assistant referee and former Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross being accidentally upended by United defender Krisztian Keresztes.
The home fans were on their feet again when sub Kyrell Wilson jinked his way into the box. Maynard-Brewer made the save before Miller scrambled the rebound against the post from close range.
Falkirk played out the remainder of the game in control.
