Falkirk will stay in patient pursuit of League One leaders Raith Rovers, says striker Declan McManus

Declan McManus scored against Raith Rovers. Picture: Michael Gillen.

The striker returned from suspension on Tuesday night to fire a vital second-half equaliser for the Bairns that maintained the one-point gap at the top of League One.

The campaign now enters the final quarter and with so little between the sides, it could all come down to the last day when Raith make the return journey with the title still in the balance.

McManus said: “I’m delighted to be back and to be int he team. To get the goal that seals a point is a bonus for myself.

Declan McManus. Picture: Michael Gillen.

“It could mean a lot eventually. There’s nine game to go and every point matters.

“We’ve played so many games throughout the season and there’s just a point to separate us so it could come down to the game on the final day when we meet again.

“We just need to concentrate on ourselves and pick up as many points as possible before then.

“Peterhead is next and we need to go into the next nine and take every point possible.

“We need to make sure we go into the last game either ahead of Raith Rovers or right on their heels and able to go on and win it and win the league on the day.”

McManus’ goals have been vital for the Bairns – as was the intervention against Montrose that earned him a red card but kept a clean sheet and win for his team-mates.

However it returned to haunt Falkirk on Saturday in a lacklustre defeat to Clyde, only softened by league rivals Raith going down to Dumbarton. McManus, who has now hit 22 goals this term while on loan from Ross County, added: ““Scoring goals is my job. I’ve had seasons where nothing seems to drop and others where everything is, if I’m scoring goals and getting us points it’s keeping us in the title race which is the main objective at the club this season.

“We’ve been brilliant for nine or ten weeks and then Saturday was a blip. I did not like it one bit. It wasn’t a great result, but for me personally it was even harder. I found it tougher watching than playing in a game. I’m delighted to be back and contributing again.”