Falkirk 0 Queen of the South 3: Dobbie runs riot as Queens dismantle Bairns

Falkirk were battered and embarrassed at The Falkirk Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Queen of the South ran out 3-0 victors.
Stephen Dobbie ran rings around Falkirk all afternoonStephen Dobbie ran rings around Falkirk all afternoon
Stephen Dobbie ran rings around Falkirk all afternoon

Stephen Dobbie's hat-trick seen the Doonhamers run out comfortable winners, but it could have been worse for Paul Hartley's side.

It was another first half to forget at The Falkirk Stadium as the Bairns trailed 2-0 after 45 minutes.

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Queen of the South took the lead after just 11 minutes. Stephen Dobbie found a few yards of space on the edge of the box and fired over the surprised Leo Fasan from 20 yards on the half volley.

Dobbie celebrates his secondDobbie celebrates his second
Dobbie celebrates his second

Just 20 minutes on the clock and already there were signs of restlessness amongst Falkirk supporters. Kyle Jacobs nodded over unmarked from a corner, prompting an angry response from home supporters.

Falkirk improved for ten minutes before the half hour, and had the ball in the net on 27 minutes. Andy Irving's delivery was inch perfect and the ball was bundled home, but was disallowed for a foul in the build up.

Gary Naysmith's side got back on top before half-time and Fasan was forced in to making a crucial save on 35 minutes when he parried Andy Stirling's shot away.

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But Queens were back three minutes later to make it 2-0. Dobbie outpaced Scott Harrison and side-footed past Leo Fasan at his near post.

Andy Irving was one of two hooked at the breakAndy Irving was one of two hooked at the break
Andy Irving was one of two hooked at the break

It was almost three before half-time. Paul Paton was booked for a foul on the edge of the box and a simple ball from Gary Harkins found Dobbie, but he was denied well by Fasan at close range.

Manager Paul Hartley changed things at the break, hooking Scott Harrison and Andy Irving. Deimantas Petravicius and Rees Greenwoodwere the replacements, as the Bairns switched to a four at the back.

It didn't get any better, though. In fact, things got worse for the Bairns.

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Aside from Petravicius getting in behind on 50 minutes and Marcus Haber's half chance after a ball in from Mark Russell, Falkirk created nothing in the second 45.

At the other end, Stephen Dobbie ran riot. His first sight of goal came on 51 minutes as he was denied well by Leo Fasan.

Three minutes later, the striker played a neat one-two with Lyndon Dykes, having had plenty of space and time to do so, but again his shot was repelled by Fasan.

The striker fired in another two efforts on the hour mark, the second coming after Petravicius gave the ball away in midfield.

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And on 62 and 63 minutes, more chances for Dobbie - who seemed determined to keep the visiting fans waiting for his hat-trick goal.

On 63 minutes, the best of his chances. Free in the box with two or three seconds to line Fasan up, Dobbie fired against the Italian, who was easily Falkirk's man of the match.

Stirling's shot was deflected wide on 67, before Dobbie finally sealed his hat-trick on 75 minutes. Josh Todd played him in, and Dobbie snuck the ball past Fasan at his near post.

There was still time for another chance for the 35-year-old before full-time and he clipped an effort against the post from 10 yards.

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Harkins and Dobbie were replaced with a minute to go and recieved a standing ovation from Falkirk fans and Queens fans alike.

The defeat leaves Falkirk bottom of the league, with a trip to Ross County next weekend.