Raith Rovers dug deep to secure a hard-earned point at a foggy Falkirk Stadium on Wednesday night.
It was Rovers’ second successive 0-0 draw and means they have fallen further behind league leaders Dunfermline.
However, the Kirkcaldy outfit can take some comfort from the fact that they thoroughly deserved to secure all three points after creating by far the best chances in what was largely a scrappy affair.
Raith boss John McGlynn said, “I would have been absolutely gutted if we had lost as we put a lot of effort into the game.
“Although it was 0-0 I do not think either side set up defensively. But that is another clean sheet away from home.”
McGlynn kept faith with the starting line-up that secured a draw at Firhill on Sunday, with Mark Campbell retaining his place in defence.
Craig Wilson, who had missed the Partick game because of illness, was fit enough to take his seat on the replacements’ bench.
The match only went ahead after a pitch inspection, although the surface looked extremely greasy and was reportedly rock hard underneath.Ring-rustyFalkirk last played on November 13 when they defeated Stirling Albion at Forthbank and it was a certainty they would be ring-rusty as exemplified by two moments of hesitancy by Tam Scobbie in the first couple of minutes.
Referee Steve O’Reilly awarded a succession of early free-kicks and then booked Rovers’ Iain Williamson for a late challenge on Scobbie in just the 11th minute.
The opening quarter came and went without either side creating an opportunity of note.
In fact, Bairns stopper Robert Olejnik had experienced more trouble dealing with errant back passes from his defence than any efforts from Raith.
In the 25th minute, Falkirk danger man Kenny Deuchar finally forced his way into the game when he nodded a deep Chris Mitchell cross into the Raith six-yard box.
But Campbell was on hand to mop up the danger with a superb defensive header from almost underneath his own bar.
Just after the half-hour mark, Olejnik was finally called into action leaping acrobatically to palm over a deep Allan Walker cross.
John Baird was booked when he was adjudged to have deliberately controlled a pass with his hand and that yellow was swiftly followed by another for Falkirk’s Mark Miller after a block on Scott McBride.
Then in the 39th minute, Gregory Tade made a complete hash of the best chance of the half.
Walker had played a deep cross from the right straight to the Frenchman’s feet at the Bairns’ back post, but the striker miscontrolled the ball and it trickled harmlessly back into the arms of the grateful Olejnik.
The players emerged for the second half to find the pitch enveloped in banks of fog which had rolled in.GreasyHowever, it was the greasy surface which nearly cost Rovers dear when Grant Murray slipped just outside his box.
Mark Stewart nipped in and powered towards goal but Laurie Ellis tracked back to make a vital block.
In 56 minutes Raith pressed again and Allan Walker cracked a snap shot from the edge of the Bairns’ box which Olejnik needed two attempts to smother.
Tade then crossed for Walker but Mark Twaddle raced back to make a vital defensive header.
Shortly after, Baird had the ball in the back of the Bairns net but his celebrations were cut short as the ref blew for offside, a decision which looked marginal to say the least.
Falkirk had their best opportunity of the game when a deep free-kick into the Rovers box fell into the path of Scobbie lurking unmarked 12 yards out, but he hooked his shot wide of McGurn’s left-hand post.
With five minutes left, Willie Dyer’s heart was in his mouth as he seemed to handle inside his own area but referee O’Reilly waved away frantic Falkirk penalty appeals.
Tade had a gilt-edged chance to wrap up all three points when he was played in on goal by substitute Mark Ferry. However, Scobbie made a vital half block as the striker pulled the trigger.
In injury time Scobbie cleared a Baird shot off his own line.
Attendance: 4037.
Falkirk: Olejnik, Duffie, Twaddle, McLean, Scobbie, O’Brien, Stewart (Higginbotham, 65), Miller, Deuchar, Flynn, Mitchell (Compton, 77). Subs not used: Khalis, Marr, Barclay.
Raith Rovers: McGurn, Murray, Dyer, Campbell, Ellis, Davidson, Williamson (Simmons, 67), Walker, Baird, Tade, McBride (Ferry, 86). Subs not used: Wilson, Weir, McNeil.
Referee: Steve O’Reilly.