Dunfermline Athletic remain unbeaten at the top of League 1 after a a
1-1 draw in a frantic East End Park atmosphere.
A crowd of 6670 made for a raucous atmosphere – and the players put on a show worthy of the occasion.
Callumn Morrison gave Falkirk a well-deserved first-half lead before Nikolay Todorov won a second-half penalty, converted expertly by Kyle Benedictus.
It was no more than James McPake’s side deserved at that point and they were unlucky not to find a winner, striking the post either side of their goal.
Todorov struck the bar with a header in the first half.
Team news due soon… pic.twitter.com/dSTn9wnDAv
— Craig Cairns (@craigcairns001) September 17, 2022
Key moments
The first key moment was the opening goal from Callumn Morrison, who was there to tap in at the back post after Aidan Nisbett’s shot came loose.
It came via a counter-attack and heavily involved Burrell who caused no end of problems for the Pars in the opening 45 minutes.
It could have been more by the break if Gary Oliver and Craig McGuffie had connected better with excellent chances.
Dunfermline responded well, with Todorov’s looping header forcing a great save from Nicky Hogarth.
Josh Edwards and then Lewis McCann failed to convert the rebounds.
The second half was all pars, either side of Beneductus’ brilliant penalty the Pars hit the post – first through Joe Chalmers and later through Todorov.
Bene from the spot pic.twitter.com/oX1pqQ8VuW
— Craig Cairns (@craigcairns001) September 17, 2022
Chris Mochrie also worked himself a great opportunity, bursting through midfield but his shot was wide.
Burrell had a late chance yards from goal but the pressure on him from the Pars defence denied him the right contact.
Star man: Matty Todd
He’s had an outstanding season so far – busy on the ball and off it and perfect for getting stuck in on these occasions.
The box-to-box midfielder has flourished under McPake and was one of the few who performed across most of the match, not just the second half.
So nearly set up the winner after a great run down the left.
Player ratings
Dunfermline (3-5-2): Mehmet 6; Comrie 7, Benedictus 7, Breen 6; Macdonald 6 (Wighton 6), Todd 8, Mochrie 8, Chalmers 7; Todorov 7, McCann 7. Subs not used: Little, Hamilton, Young, Tod, Sutherland.
Manager under the microscope
McPake made one enforced change, bringing in Lewis McCann for the injured Kevin O’Hara.
Falkirk dominated early on but, as he has done a few times – subs or not – the Pars boss made tweaks to get his side back into the game.
First Chalmers dropped a little deeper in midfield where Nesbitt and Burrell were causing issues.
At half-time, McCann came to the left, leaving Todorov as a lone striker with Mochrie supporting.
After the penalty there only looked like one winner – other than Burrell’s late chance.
Man in the middle
Chris Graham gave some curious decisions early on but nothing game-changing throughout.
He didn’t book Morrison for a shirt tug in the first half when he seemed happy to book Benedictus early in the game.
He got the one big decision right when Todorov was felled in the box.
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