Bamba headed in Hibernian's third goal from close range
Hibernian taught Falkirk a cruel lesson in finishing as the Scottish Premier League's bottom side lost once again.
Falkirk started strongly and Mark Stewart shot them ahead on 19 minutes, only for Derek Riordan to reply immediately with a curling free kick.
Anthony Stokes then shot home via a deflection and Sol Bamba tapped in a close-range finish before the interval.
Falkirk dominated much of the second half and squandered a host of good chances to stage a comeback.
The defeat leaves Falkirk four points adrift at the foot of the table, while Hibs move up to fourth spot, leapfrogging Motherwell in the process.
The home side started brightly, but Hibs were first to threaten and Falkirk goalkeeper Robert Olejnik was quickly off his line to block at the feet of Riordan.
Towering Bairns striker Enoch Showunmi rattled the crossbar on 15 minutes with a powerful strike after good set up play from Ryan Flynn.
Graham Stack then made a fantastic save to keep out a header from Brian McLean, but the Hibs keeper could do nothing to stop a shot from Stewart that made its way through a crowded penalty area.
However, the lead was short-lived, with Riordan curling in a trademark free kick from 20 yards.
Stewart went close to a second goal, with Stack doing well to push the lively forward's shot away for a corner.
Having posed very little previous threat, Hibs found themselves in front on 34 minutes when a blocked Colin Nish effort fell to Stokes, who tried his luck from 16 yards and a slight deflection off Tom Scobbie left Olejnik with no chance.
Three minutes from the break, Olejnik had to look lively to palm away a strike from Wotherspoon, an early replacement for the injured Merouane Zemmama, before Hibs took advantage of some poor Falkirk defending to net a third.
Wotherspoon's cross was headed on by Nish and Bamba was well placed to easily sidefoot home from four yards at the back post.
Falkirk came flying out of the traps for the second half and skipper Darren Barr flashed a header inches over the crossbar from a great Pedro Moutinho free kick, with Stack rooted to his line.
Showunmi was guilty of a terrible fresh air miss in front of goal and Stewart's shot was cleared away by Bamba before Barr looped an awkward shot up onto the top of the crossbar and over.
With Falkirk winning all of the 50-50 challenges, Flynn lashed a shot into the net, only to have his celebrations curtailed by the sight of a linesman's fluttering flag.
That offside decision seemed to take the wind out of Falkirk's sails and they found themselves relying too often on hopeful long balls forward.
An off-balance Flynn did scramble a shot towards goal, but Stack made another fine save before Stokes missed a good chance on a rare Hibs break.
With seven minutes remaining, the Irish forward found himself up against Olejnik, but his chipped effort drifted just wide of the target.
Live text and stats
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Scottish Premier
Home Team
Score
Away Team
Time
Falkirk
1-3
Hibernian
FT
(HT 1-3)
Stewart 19
Riordan 21
Stokes 34
Bamba 43
Falkirk
01 Olejnik
02 Barr
03 Scobbie (Finnigan 72)
04 Twaddle
06 McLean
07 Moutinho
08 O'Brien
10 Arfield yellow card
12 Stewart
11 Flynn
15 Showunmi
Substitutes
29 Wagenaar,
30 Duffy,
19 Lynch,
28 Compton,
32 Alston,
09 Finnigan,
36 Sludden
Hibernian
01 Stack
04 Hogg
06 Murray yellow card
15 Thicot yellow card
26 Bamba
07 Zemmama (David Wotherspoon 14)
11 Rankin
33 Miller
09 Nish
10 Riordan
18 Stokes (Cregg 87)
Substitutes
21 Smith,
25 McCormack,
08 Cregg,
16 Stevenson,
22 Danny Galbraith,
24 David Wotherspoon,
19 Benjelloun
Ref: TumiltyAtt: 5,460
FALKIRK
HIBERNIAN
Possession
Falkirk60%
Hibernian40%
Attempts on target
Falkirk6
Hibernian6
Attempts off target
Falkirk10
Hibernian7
Corners
Falkirk13
Hibernian5
Fouls
Falkirk10
Hibernian16
Final Result
Full Time
90:00+2:49 The referee blows for the end of the match.
90:00+2:18 Derek Riordan decides to take a short corner.
90:00+1:35 Pedro Moutinho challenges Patrick Cregg unfairly and gives away a free kick. Graham Stack takes the free kick.
89:28 Unfair challenge on Marc Twaddle by Colin Nish results in a free kick. Marc Twaddle restarts play with the free kick.
88:43 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Burton O'Brien by Colin Nish. Direct free kick taken by Robert Olejnik.
88:16 Mark Stewart crosses the ball, save by Graham Stack.
86:51 Substitution Patrick Cregg on for Anthony Stokes.
85:52 The ball is crossed by Darren Barr, Liam Miller gets a block in. Corner taken right-footed by Pedro Moutinho from the right by-line, clearance by Chris Hogg. Outswinging corner taken by Pedro Moutinho.
85:01 Anthony Stokes produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the target.
84:33 Mark Stewart produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.
84:03 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Anthony Stokes, Robert Olejnik makes a save.
83:15 The ball is sent over by Souleymane Bamba, save made by Robert Olejnik.
82:27 Carl Finnigan concedes a free kick for a foul on Chris Hogg. Free kick taken by Graham Stack.
81:52 Ryan Flynn takes a shot. Graham Stack makes a save. Pedro Moutinho takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, John Rankin manages to make a clearance.
79:22 The ball is sent over by Mark Stewart, clearance made by Steven Thicot.
77:48 Carl Finnigan fouled by Souleymane Bamba, the ref awards a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Pedro Moutinho from the free kick.
77:29 Derek Riordan takes a shot. Save by Robert Olejnik.
76:01 Handball decision goes against Steven Thicot. Pedro Moutinho crosses the ball in from the free kick, save by Graham Stack.
73:17 Enoch Showunmi concedes a free kick for a foul on Chris Hogg. Free kick taken by Graham Stack.
72:50 Scott Arfield fouled by John Rankin, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Robert Olejnik.
71:54 Substitution Carl Finnigan on for Thomas Scobbie.
71:10 The ball is sent over by Darren Barr, save by Graham Stack.
70:38 Liam Miller challenges Pedro Moutinho unfairly and gives away a free kick. Brian McLean takes the direct free kick.
69:46 Mark Stewart produces a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area and misses left.
69:08 Centre by Mark Stewart, Chris Hogg makes a clearance.
67:35 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Pedro Moutinho, Anthony Stokes manages to make a clearance.
67:14 A cross is delivered by Ian Murray, save by Robert Olejnik.
66:13 Graham Stack takes the free kick.
66:13 Booking The referee cautions Scott Arfield for unsporting behaviour.
66:02 Scott Arfield challenges Liam Miller unfairly and gives away a free kick.
65:19 The referee gives a free kick against Souleymane Bamba for handball. Direct free kick taken by Burton O'Brien.
64:01 Unfair challenge on Colin Nish by Brian McLean results in a free kick. Derek Riordan has a direct shot on goal from the free kick.
63:29 Ryan Flynn is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Graham Stack takes the direct free kick.
62:08 Scott Arfield fouled by John Rankin, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Brian McLean.
61:52 The ball is delivered by Marc Twaddle, save by Graham Stack.
61:27 Booking The referee shows Steven Thicot a yellow card.
60:53 Mark Stewart sends in a cross, save by Graham Stack.
59:11 Enoch Showunmi is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Direct free kick taken by Chris Hogg.
58:35 Mark Stewart takes a shot. Save by Graham Stack.
57:47 John Rankin challenges Mark Stewart unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Darren Barr.
56:51 Enoch Showunmi fouled by Souleymane Bamba, the ref awards a free kick. Burton O'Brien delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from right wing, clearance by David Wotherspoon.
56:04 The ball is delivered by Pedro Moutinho, Darren Barr takes a shot.
55:22 David Wotherspoon challenges Marc Twaddle unfairly and gives away a free kick. Pedro Moutinho crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, Graham Stack makes a save.
53:28 Mark Stewart takes a shot. Blocked by Ian Murray. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Pedro Moutinho, John Rankin makes a clearance. Pedro Moutinho produces a cross, John Rankin gets a block in.
52:38 Brian McLean takes the free kick.
52:38 Booking Ian Murray is cautioned.
52:28 Ian Murray concedes a free kick for a foul on Burton O'Brien.
51:16 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Enoch Showunmi by Steven Thicot. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Pedro Moutinho from right wing, David Wotherspoon manages to make a clearance.
49:43 Pedro Moutinho fouled by David Wotherspoon, the ref awards a free kick. The ball is delivered by Pedro Moutinho, Enoch Showunmi has a header from deep inside the six-yard box and clears the crossbar.
48:04 The ball is crossed by Ryan Flynn, John Rankin manages to make a clearance. Corner taken by Pedro Moutinho, clearance made by Steven Thicot.
46:19 Colin Nish produces a cross, save by Robert Olejnik.
45:19 The ball is swung over by Colin Nish.
45:01 The referee gets the second half started.
Half Time
45:00+1:00 The whistle is blown to end the first half.
45:00+0:43 Steven Thicot produces a cross.
44:38 Scott Arfield challenges David Wotherspoon unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Chris Hogg.
43:41 The ball is sent over by Darren Barr, save made by Graham Stack.
42:28 David Wotherspoon provided the assist for the goal.
42:28 GOAL - Souleymane Bamba:Falkirk 1 - 3 Hibernian Goal scored by Souleymane Bamba from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Falkirk 1-3 Hibernian.
41:46 David Wotherspoon takes a shot. Save by Robert Olejnik. Inswinging corner taken by John Rankin, clearance by Brian McLean. The ball is crossed by David Wotherspoon,
41:03 Foul by Liam Miller on Scott Arfield, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Burton O'Brien.
39:38 The ball is crossed by Enoch Showunmi.
38:35 Anthony Stokes has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the left of the goal.
37:58 Enoch Showunmi is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Direct free kick taken by Graham Stack.
37:08 The referee blows for offside against Colin Nish. Direct free kick taken by Robert Olejnik.
33:01 GOAL - Anthony Stokes:Falkirk 1 - 2 Hibernian Anthony Stokes fires in a goal from inside the penalty area low into the middle of the goal. Falkirk 1-2 Hibernian.
31:42 Foul by Chris Hogg on Enoch Showunmi, free kick awarded. The ball is crossed by Pedro Moutinho, Shot on goal by Thomas Scobbie from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
30:46 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ryan Flynn by Steven Thicot. Pedro Moutinho crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing, clearance made by Ian Murray.
Correction - 29:15 Free kick taken by Chris Hogg.
Correction - 29:15 Booking Enoch Showunmi goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.
29:15 Chris Hogg takes the direct free kick.
29:15 Booking Booking for Steven Thicot for unsporting behaviour.
29:07 Enoch Showunmi challenges Souleymane Bamba unfairly and gives away a free kick.
28:17 Darren Barr crosses the ball, Liam Miller manages to make a clearance. Corner taken right-footed by Pedro Moutinho, clearance by Chris Hogg.
26:10 Mark Stewart takes a shot. Save made by Graham Stack. Corner taken by Pedro Moutinho, Steven Thicot makes a clearance.
25:06 Enoch Showunmi fouled by Chris Hogg, the ref awards a free kick. Burton O'Brien takes the free kick.
24:10 Derek Riordan takes a shot. Blocked by Brian McLean. Corner from the left by-line taken by Derek Riordan, Colin Nish takes a shot from inside the six-yard box clearing the crossbar.
20:25 GOAL - Derek Riordan:Falkirk 1 - 1 Hibernian Derek Riordan hits the back of the net with a goal direct from the free kick from just outside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Falkirk 1-1 Hibernian.
19:47 Thomas Scobbie concedes a free kick for a foul on Anthony Stokes.
18:44 GOAL - Mark Stewart:Falkirk 1 - 0 Hibernian Mark Stewart grabs a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Falkirk 1-0 Hibernian.
17:09 Corner taken right-footed by Pedro Moutinho, Brian McLean takes a shot. Save made by Graham Stack. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Pedro Moutinho, clearance by Souleymane Bamba.
16:13 Effort from the edge of the penalty area by David Wotherspoon goes wide of the left-hand post.
14:44 Enoch Showunmi takes a shot. Effort on goal by Pedro Moutinho from just inside the area clears the crossbar.
13:13 Corner taken by Pedro Moutinho from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance by John Rankin.
13:13 Substitution David Wotherspoon is brought on as a substitute for Merouane Zemmama.
13:13 The ball is swung over by Marc Twaddle, Steven Thicot gets a block in.
11:48 Derek Riordan produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.
9:18 Shot from outside the area by Pedro Moutinho misses to the left of the target.
8:34 Outswinging corner taken by Pedro Moutinho, Colin Nish manages to make a clearance.
5:57 The ball is swung over by Pedro Moutinho, blocked by Ian Murray. Corner taken by Pedro Moutinho, Effort on goal by Marc Twaddle from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.
4:27 Foul by Enoch Showunmi on Chris Hogg, free kick awarded. Chris Hogg restarts play with the free kick.
2:10 Corner taken by Derek Riordan, Effort on goal by Derek Riordan from just inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.
1:44 Pedro Moutinho concedes a free kick for a foul on Souleymane Bamba. Chris Hogg takes the direct free kick.
1:02 The referee blows for offside against Ryan Flynn. Graham Stack takes the free kick.
0:00 The referee gets the game started.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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