Falkirk 1 – 0 Motherwell

Falkirk blew the race for a European spot wide open as they recorded their third win of the season over Motherwell with a narrow 1-0 victory at Falkirk Stadium on Saturday.

John McGlynn’s side regularly found spaces in behind the Motherwell defence and substitute Henry Cartwright fired home the only goal in the 63rd minute after latching on to Ben Broggio’s inch-perfect through ball.

The visitors struggled to carve out clear-cut chances as they missed the opportunity to extend their six-point lead over Hibernian in the chase for fourth place in the William Hill Premiership.

Falkirk have now racked up 10 points against Motherwell this season and they cut the gap on Hibernian to two ahead of Celtic’s visit to Easter Road on Sunday.

With Hibs due to visit Falkirk next Saturday, the result gives the Bairns real hope of securing fifth place, which will offer a route into Europe if Celtic beat Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup final.

The home side had the first chance in the opening minute when Calvin Miller got in behind but could not get enough height on his long-range chip.

The Bairns continued to trouble Motherwell with aerial balls but Barney Stewart twice shot off target with the visitors outnumbered.

The striker soon had a shot inadvertently stopped by Millar, who had seen his effort brilliantly blocked by Paul McGinn.

Stewart was also gifted a brilliant chance when Calum Ward dallied on the ball inside his six-yard box but the Motherwell goalkeeper recovered to make an excellent point-blank stop.

Motherwell’s best first-half moves came down the left. Elijah Just shot wide after Elliot Watt won possession and Nicky Hogarth made a flying stop from Emmanuel Longelo.

Visiting left-back Stephen O’Donnell appealed strongly for a penalty when he appeared to be nudged as he attacked a free-kick into the box, but referee Dan McFarlane was not interested and play quickly moved on.

Stewart missed his best chance yet just after the interval when he sent a free header wide from five yards following Leon McCann’s cross.

Longelo shot into the side netting and Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou was booked for dissent after Finn Yeats went unpunished for an apparent elbow on Watt as the pair competed in the air.

The Bairns took the lead when Broggio threaded the ball through for Cartwright to run on to and drive past Ward.

Millar almost scored one of the goals of the season after Watt was caught on the ball. The former Celtic attacker produced two brilliant pieces of skill to jink past two defenders but shot wide off balance.

Motherwell made a series of attacking changes but it was Falkirk substitute Kyrell Wilson who forced an excellent stop from Ward.

The Steelmen had plenty of possession and territory in the closing stages but it took until the final seconds before they could seriously threaten.

Stephen Welsh’s header bounced beyond the far post with Callum Hendry unable to turn the ball home on the line.

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