Cove Rangers 0-1 Falkirk: Late Calvin Miller winner sends Bairns 17 points clear at top of League One

05-03-2024. Picture Michael Gillen. ABERDEEN. COVE. Balmoral Stadium. Cove Rangers FC v Falkirk FC. Season 2023 - 2024. Matchday 27. SPFL cinch League One.:.

Falkirk manager John McGlynn hailed his team’s mentality after they edged out Cove Rangers 1-0 on Tuesday night to move 17 points clear at the top of League One.

The Bairns came into the rearranged outing on the back of losing a late goal during last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Annan Athletic - and they quickly put that behind them with substitute Calvin Miller grabbing a late winner in Aberdeen.

After a tame first half, the visitors came to life and controlled proceedings, with Falkirk creating a flurry of chances. But it was much like last time out, with it looking like McGlynn’s men may be made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal.

Ross MacIver, Callumn Morrison, Brad Spencer and Sean Mackie were all guilty of lashing at decent opportunities, but the latter produced a moment of magic with seven minutes to go when he reversed a pass into a dangerous area, with Miller showing the composure needed to find the back of the net.

And in the final few moments, the Bairns managed to see out the three points this time around, although they did get away with one when former Falkirk ace Rumarn Burrell saw a last-minute effort ruled offside when he looked very much on.

“I thought we dominated the whole game – it was just a case of getting that opening goal,” McGlynn beamed. “Fair play to Cove Rangers, they made it very difficult for us to score but on the other hand Sam Long had very little to do. We restricted them.

“It was a matter of coming up and here and getting the result by any means but we actually played very well and created a lot of opportunities. The players showed a great mentality too.

“They could have been spooked by losing the late goal against Annan Athletic last weekend but they saw out the match well. We ran the legs off them to get our goal and we defended so well.

“The goal was nicely worked and Sean Mackie, who had a great game, did well to get the ball into Calvin (Miller) and it is so pleasing to have his quality come off the bench.

“We’ve been rotating the squad and Sean and Ethan Ross came in on the left side and did well replacing Leon (McCann) and Calvin.”