Loy done good for brave bairns
Falkirk recorded their first win of their League season to leave Hibs boss Alan Stubbs in no doubt about the size of the task in front of him. His side have now been beaten twice in the opening three games.
There was a lively start to the game, with Falkirk breaking the deadlock after 13 minutes. A corner hit in deep to the back post was headed down to Rory Loy four yards out. The former Scotland U-21 international, with his back to goal, deftly back heeled it under the despairing Mark Oxley in the Hibs goal.
This was not the invitation the Bairns needed to go on the offensive and as they sat deeper and deeper allowing Hibs into the game as the half progressed. Clear-cut chances were at a premium, with a Jordan Forster header from a corner and snatched efforts from Paul Heffernan and Farid El Alagui, when they should have done better, all the men in green mustered.
The pressure continued as El Alagui hit the woodwork with a header after a scramble from a corner. Falkirk were reeling at this point, but always dangerous on the break, in particular two efforts from Loy that Oxley did well to parry away just before the interval.
The second half started at breakneck speed with neither midfield able to take control. It was into the 63rd minute before a real chance when a loose header left El Alagui one-on-one 20 yards out. However, his lob was parried by Jamie Macdonald in the Falkirk goal.
A tame El Alagui effort and a free-kick straight into the wall from 30 yards out was all Hibs could manage after that, as Peter Houston’s men marshalled the game out despite a late scare as Jason Cummings blazed a late shot over the bar.
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