Aberdeen's Diamond flashes a header wide of the target

Despite enjoying most of the possession the Bairns struggled to create any clear-cut chances for their strikers.

The home side had Scott Arfield sent-off after 53 minutes but continued to take the game to Aberdeen.

Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield denied Michael Higdon with a fingertip save and Chris Clark could have stolen a win for the Dons late on but shot wide.

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Interview: Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood

Falkirk went into the first match of a league and Scottish Cup double-header against Aberdeen aiming to end a winless run against the Dons stretching back 16 games to November 1994.

And they began the game showcasing their lauded passing game on a difficult surface.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to the result at Falkirk Stadium

But it was Aberdeen who fashioned the first opportunity of the match in the fifth minute.

Higdon was guilty of weakly heading a long free-kick only as far as the edge of his own area.

Stand-in goalkeeper Robert Olejnik got his body behind Lee Mair's tame left-footed volley.

Falkirk weaved pretty patterns during an opening period they dominated.

But at times they were guilty of over-elaboration as they sought a way through a resolute Aberdeen defence.

Carl Finnigan did rob Lee Mair to send a cross-cum-shot wide and Higdon hit the side netting after outmuscling Zander Diamond.

Arnau Riera then sent a shot flashing wide following a poorly-cleared corner.

Full-back Jack Ross surged forward and hit a shot which Aberdeen goalkeeper Langfield did well to keep out.

The Bairns enjoyed the lion's share of possession from defence through midfield but could not create the clear-cut chances their build-up play merited.

When they finally got in behind the Dons rearguard in the 40th minute, Higdon was flagged for offside before finding the net.

Aberdeen began the second period in a positive fashion and denied Falkirk the possession they enjoyed before the interval.

Former Falkirk striker Lee Miller was granted a chance to break the deadlock in the 49th minute but his shot from Clark's pass skidded wide.

A match that had been played in a fairly timid manner then suddenly burst to life in the 53rd minute as Arfield was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Falkirk were driven on by a sense of injustice and Arfield's red card brought out an unnecessary physical side to the encounter.

Amid a flurry of bookings, Falkirk thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute.

Stand-in skipper Darren Barr left his defensive beat and was felled by Scott Severin.

However referee Eddie Smith ruled the offence took place inches outside the box and Tom Scobbie's swerving set-piece scraped the bar on its way over.

Aberdeen substitute Steve Lovell was then only inches away from connecting with Ricky Foster's cross.

And Riera drove just wide for 10-men Falkirk in the 70th minute.

The home side had the best chance of the match 10 minutes from time.

Barr broke brilliantly from defence and, after exchanging passes with Russell Latapy, threaded a pass through to Higdon who was clear on goal but Langfield touched his early shot over.

Aberdeen substitute Jeffrey de Visscher then had a shot parried by Olejnik and Clark drove the rebound wide.

Latapy's deflected effort then slipped wide as both sides sought a late winner in vain.

Falkirk: Olejnik, Ross, Holden, Scobbie, Barr, Cregg, Arfield, Riera, Finnigan (Latapy 57), Barrett (Milne 68), Higdon (Aafjes 90). Subs Not Used: Barclay, Bradley, McBride, Mitchell.

Sent Off: Arfield (54).

Booked: Arfield.

Aberdeen: Langfield, Foster, Byrne, Diamond, Mair (De Visscher 79), Severin, Nicholson, Young (Lovell 64), Clark, Miller (Jonathan Smith 86), Jamie Smith. Subs Not Used: Soutar, Touzani, Daniel Smith, Aluko.

Booked: Mair, Jamie Smith, Clark, De Visscher.

Att: 5,457

Ref: E Smith (Scotland).