Linlithgow Rose 1-4 Falkirk: Hosts run Bairns close before gulf in class eventually shows

Conor Sammon celebrates opening the scoring for Falkirk. Pic: SNS

Plucky Linlinthgow Rose pushed Falkirk close in their William Hill Scottish Cup third round tie at Prestonfield before eventually going down 4-1.

A double from former Hearts striker Conor Sammon plus strikes by Declan McManus and Paul Dixon sealed the victory for the Bairns, who were pegged back by Lithgae when Tommy Coyne levelled matters in the first half.

Ultimately the gulf in leagues showed through – Falkirk play in Ladbrokes League One, while Rose are in the East of Scotland Premier Division – but Brown Ferguson’s gallant team kept within one goal of their more illustrious opponents for three-quarters of the match.

Falkirk made the seven-mile journey for this derby clash with new coaches in situ after Ray McKinnon’s departure earlier in the week. Former players Lee Miller and David McCracken took charge for the first time as a full Prestonfield shone under the lights and the television cameras.

Falkirk restored Sammon to the starting XI for this tie and the Irish internationalist made an immediate impact, sliding the ball beyond Linlithgow keeper Michael McKinven after just eight minutes.

The BaIrns looked in control of the encounter even at that early stage, but Linlithgow responded admirably and equalised on 20 minutes when Tommy Coyne headed the ball home via the post after a neat flick from Ross Allum.

It took just ten minutes for Falkirk to restore their lead and it was Sammon again who made the difference, slotting home after Morgaro Gomis won a header in the Rose penalty box.

Linlithgow worked hard in trying to level again but never truly looked like getting another goal. Falkirk put the game to bed when McManus scored on 78 minutes before Dixon added some gloss to the score on 86 minutes.