John McGlynn says Falkirk players deserve 'enormous credit' despite Jekyll and Hyde Livingston performance

John McGlynn admitted his Falkirk team produced a Jekyll and Hyde performance against Livingston - but that they should take “enormous credit” for how they’ve started the Scottish Premiership season.

The newly-promoted Bairns conceded a late leveller on Saturday against David Martindale’s side, who sit bottom of the table, after Brian Graham’s early penalty had given Falkirk the lead. The first half was much like the previous weekend’s early showing against Kilmarnock - front-footed and vibrant. However the second half was nowhere near as fluid, and a last-gasp goal from the visitors always felt like it was coming. And when Livingston were presented with a dangerous free-kick two minutes from time, Danny Wilson had the freedom of the Falkirk penalty area to direct his header past Scott Bain.

McGlynn hails Scottish Premiership start

Assessing the 1-1 draw, which sees Falkirk sit fourth on 16 points from their opening 12 fixtures, McGlynn said: “We still haven’t beaten Livingston and it would have been nice to get that monkey off our back. But fair play to them. They are a decent team and put us under pressure. We had defended well but we succumbed to that one (free kick) and it was unfortunate. We were the better team in the first half, they were better in the second. That sums it up. We lost control in the second half and it was a matter of trying to hold out. We were dangerous on the counter but didn’t take advantage of chances. Livi were pushing for a goal and we lose one at a set-play, which is annoying. If we allow crosses to come in like that and don’t defend, that’s what happens. Yes, when you are leading so late you want to win, but it’s another point in the bag.”

The Bairns now face a two-week break with the international window seeing Scotland face two crucial World Cup qualifiers before Falkirk return with a trip to Dundee United. McGlynn says that perspective is needed despite being on the end of another frustrating result against the West Lothian outfit with his side eight points clear of 12th spot.

“It has still been a good start for us and if we keep getting results, it will keep the wolf from the door,” the boss added. “The players need to take enormous credit because they have only played 12 games at this level. To take 16 points is good going and the boys are gaining confidence all the time. At full-time, we were sitting third in the Premiership and the players need to take huge credit for that. We hope to get a similar tally over the next block of fixtures but we won’t get too carried away.”

Despite his side’s late leveller, Livingston boss Martindale admitted he was frustrated at the award of the first-half penalty after VAR highlighted a handball by Stevie May. Nick Walsh recommended a review and on-pitch whistler Grant Irvine swiftly awarded the spot kick.

He said: "I think it's really harsh. The referee in real time says to Stevie 'your hands are in, you didn't have time to react to it’. Brian Graham runs across the eye-line of Stevie May and it hits him there in the box. The referee doesn't think it's a penalty and it goes to VAR and we're looking at it thinking 'he's not going to give that'. The distance between Brian Graham and Stevie May is a maximum of half-a-yard and it hits his arm. He gives the penalty, so I felt a bit hard done by then. Stevie's disappointed because the referee explains it, Stevie agrees, we agree, then it goes to VAR and I think when you start slowing it down you can come up with any outcome. When we watched it back it's quite hard to see...so maybe there's another angle and I'll have to apologise."