The match started at a high tempo, with Rumarn Burrell having an early penalty shout waved away after he seemed to be wiped out by the Airdrie goalkeeper before the visitors raced up the park and had a chance of their own as Calum Gallagher’s shot forced a brilliant save from Nicky Hogarth.

The Bairns began to dominate the match after the end-to-end opening and were nearly rewarded on the 20 minute mark as Coll Donaldson’s free kick was saved by the goalkeeper and rattled around the visitor’s box before eventually being cleared. Five minutes later The Bairns were ahead, as Donaldson found Kai Kennedy with a crossfield ball and the on-loan Rangers man took a great touch down before blasting into the top corner with a great finish. Falkirk continued to dominate after going ahead and nearly added a second ten minutes after the opener as Callumn Morrison found Rumarn Burrell at the near post with a cross, but the striker headed just past the post from a tight angle.

The second half started much the same as the first, with a flurry of chances for both sides. The Bairns had a golden chance to double the lead just after the 50 minutes. A last-ditch tackle stopped Airdrie’s Calum Gallagher from getting on the end of a cut-back into the box before The Bairns broke up the pitch and Gary Oliver missed a one-on-one when he was sent through on goal.

The missed chance seemed to boost Airdrie and they pushed for an equaliser, with Falkirk still looking dangerous on the break. The visitors got their goal with 12 minutes left to play as Callum Smith got on the end of a long ball and fired a clever finish off the turf and into the far corner.

Falkirk pushed for a winner after being pegged back and totally dominated the final ten minutes. Kai Kennedy had an effort from 20 yards out saved by the goalkeeper, Stephen McGinn had two efforts blocked at close range, and Brad McKay had an outside of the boot shot dip just over the bar. The Falkirk fans thought they had a penalty in the closing minutes as Juan Alegria was pushed down from behind, but again the referee waved away the appeals.

Full Time: Falkirk 1-1 Airdrieonians