Jacob Murrell scores for Falkirk against KilmarnockImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Jacob Murrell's header all but made the game safe for Falkirk

At a glance

  • Own goals by McCarthy & Stanger sandwich Murrell header as Falkirk win

  • Bairns make it two Scottish Premiership victories in a row

  • Kilmarnock sustain sixth league defeat of season

Highlights: Falkirk v Kilmarnock

24/10/26

ByAndy Campbell
BBC Scotland

Jacob Murrell scored again and Falkirk were the beneficiaries of two own goals in defeating Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

The striker's header was diverted in by Cathal McCarthy as the Bairns took the lead and he made it three goals in two games as he headed superbly for Falkirk's second off a Ryan Strain corner.

And George Stanger flicked a Deniss Melniks header into his own net in the second half.

Stanger had threatened at a Killie corner at 0-0 but could not get over it.

The windy and increasingly wet conditions made play ever more challenging for both teams but John McGlynn's side certainly coped better than Neil McCann's visitors, with Falkirk making it two league wins in two.

They sit seventh after 10 games, a point off the top six, while Killie are second bottom, a point above Hibernian before Hibs' host Celtic on Sunday.

Falkirk analysis: Murrell's influence grows

Far more chances came the Bairns' way, with Killie goalkeeper Calum Ferrie looking uncomfortable dealing with a swirling Leon McCann cross in the opening minutes, which set the tone.

In Murrell, Falkirk certainly look like they've found one.

The American showed what he could do with two powerful strikes at Hibernian last weekend and against Kilmarnock, his aerial prowess was there for all to see.

The hosts really could have added to their win with Owen Eames, Finley Barbrook, Melniks and Murrell drawing saves from Ferrie, who was by far the busier keeper.

Not a day for kind breaks - Kilmarnock analysis

An unsuccessful penalty claim at 1-0 down may haunt Killie fans with Melniks having headed on to his crossbar then blocking on the ground as Joe Hugill shot.

It was just that sort of day for the visitors with Melniks avoiding the own goal ignominy that befell both McCarthy and Stanger.

Other near things came at corners as efforts by Michael Schjonning-Larsen and Tyreece John-Jules could not find their way through.

But the struggle to contain Falkirk's attackers was their main downfall and when a late open goal presented itself for Ieuan Owen after keeper Scott Bain cleared under pressure, the substitute could only knock harmlessly wide.

What they said

Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "We played the conditions. Maybe we played the conditions maybe a little bit better than Kilmarnock. We had a lot of good individual performances.

"It's a huge three points for us. It takes us away from the bottom and gets us in the mix, which is great for like a new team that we've put together. We're sitting here with 12 points, which is basically where we were this time last year. We're absolutely delighted with what we've achieved today.

"Jacob [Murrell is] certainly getting the goals and that's key as a striker. You're absolutely judged on the goals you score. If he keeps on doing that there's absolutely no doubt he's going to attract attention. He's here for a wee while hopefully."

Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann: "Just a horrible game of football. Conditions were shocking to try and play in. The surface obviously doesn't make that any easier.

"Falkirk just did the basics right today. They did them better than us and that's why they're really happy, I'd imagine, with a three points.

"We got probably guilty and caught up in trying to get the ball down continually. It wasn't for that. Basic football was required today. We had to do the ugly things right today and unfortunately we didn't."

Player of the match

Number: 42 O. Eames
Average rating 8.00
Number: 42 O. Eames
Average Rating: 8.00
Number: 24 J. Murrell
Average Rating: 7.88
Number: 5 L. Henderson
Average Rating: 7.47
Number: 16 F. Barbrook
Average Rating: 7.47
Number: 15 L. Neilson
Average Rating: 7.41
Number: 21 D. Meļņiks
Average Rating: 7.35
Number: 19 S. Bain
Average Rating: 7.33
Number: 22 R. Strain
Average Rating: 7.25
Number: 3 L. McCann
Average Rating: 7.24
Number: 23 E. Ross
Average Rating: 6.94
Number: 8 B. Spencer
Average Rating: 6.83
Number: 27 C. McLeod
Average Rating: 4.83
Number: 7 B. Parkinson
Average Rating: 4.75
Number: 10 C. Sibbald
Average Rating: 4.73
Number: 14 F. Yeats
Average Rating: 4.67
Number: 99 C. Fodrey
Average Rating: 4.54

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.