Managers post Falkirk

Link to audio of both managers` post match comments

Manager Allan Johnston agreed that the 55th minute red card shown to Kallum Higginbotham that confined the Pars to play the final 35 minutes of the match with just ten men was the turning point in his side`s efforts to win their first match at The Falkirk Stadium since 2011, he commented:-

"There was only going to be one winner after we got the first goal. They weren`t causing us many problems at all. We said to Higgy at half that he would have to be careful because obviously being on a yellow card he could not be invloved.

"He has not done anything malicious but he has shoulder barged the boy and it looks probably worse than what it was. He got sent off which is crazy, you cannot get involved. That put us under pressure. Falkirk piled everybody forward but we defended really well for the majority of it but lost a really soft goal from the free kick.

"I think Sean (Murdoch) slipped on the Astro and it was went in. It is a disappointing one when you draw because we were desperate to get a win here against our rivals.

"He slipped, lost his footing - that happens sometimes but it was a soft goal to lose from our point of view especially in such a big game."

For most it looked as though the post had denied Falkirk an added time winner but the Dunfermline gaffer felt that Craig Thomson had already blown up play before the woodwork came into play.

"I think he had already given a free kick for that one, or an offside or whatever - he had already blown his whistle. There was not much in the game, I think the first goal was probably going to win it. We got the first goal, it was a clear penalty and then we were in the driving position so it is a wee bit frustrating."

Too great a desire to win cost the former Falkirk player, Kallum Higginbotham his game. His red card ten minutes into the second half demonstrated his over enthusiasm to secure a victory for his club and his manager added:-

"He is passionate and you are not going to take that out of Higgy, he would not be the same player without that passion but you have to control it as well. The first booking was a clear booking, crazy as well and he has just got to learn from that. He is absolutely gutted in there. He knows himself that he has let down everyone because it was such an important game."

Asked if he was concerned about the Dunfermline disciplinary record that has seen two red cards and nine different players yellow carded in the last two matches. AJ replied:-

"We had a good disciplinary record up until last week I think! For some reason we seem to be getting a lot of bookings. Then two sending offs, Declan McManus` was a crazy sending off. He knew he was on a yellow card, it was a really bad challenge on Dean Shiels but just don`t get involved, let the referee handle it.

"As soon as there is a coming together of players there is always going to be one in each team who is going to get booked. Unfortunately it was Declan and that sent him off as well."

The manager praised the support from the 1256 travelling supporters.

"They got right behind the team and you could hear the support right from the start. There was a good atmosphere in the ground and we are disappointed not to get the win. It is a hard place to come and now you can see that the league is really tight.

"There are five teams really in a good position to go on and put a run together. When you see the United result (2-1 against St Mirren) it is galling. We need to cut out the mistakes and we are more than capable of going on a run."

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