Hibs 1-2 Falkirk: Jacob Murrell brace earns Bairns crucial Scottish Premiership win

Jacob Murrell brace earns Falkirk 2-1 victory at Hibs in Scottish Premiership.

Falkirk battled to a vital 2-1 victory over Hibernian at Easter Road, with Jacob Murrell scoring twice to secure all three points for John McGlynn’s side.

Falkirk's Jacob Murrell scores to make it 1-0 (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group)

placeholder image — Falkirk's Jacob Murrell scores to make it 1-0 (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group)

The Bairns showed tremendous resilience, particularly in the second half, as they withstood sustained pressure from the hosts to claim an important win in the capital.

Hibernian created the first opportunity from a well-worked corner, but Felix Passlack’s initial effort was blocked before Thibault Klidje fired wide from the back post.

Falkirk took the lead after 13 minutes with a superb strike. Ryan Strain intercepted a loose pass in midfield before playing an early ball through to Murrell, who unleashed a powerful effort from the edge of the box to beat Sallinger.

Martin Boyle came close to equalising around the half-hour mark, but his volley from a tight angle was saved by Bain’s feet. Klidje then sent another opportunity over the bar as Hibs looked to respond.

Jacob Murrell double downs struggling Hibs

However, Murrell struck again in the 37th minute, finding the roof of the net from a tight angle inside the box to double Falkirk’s advantage.

The hosts quickly reduced the deficit when Passlack’s low cross from the right was finished by Owen Elding. Falkirk thought they had restored their two-goal lead just before half-time when Finley Barbrook bundled the ball home from a corner, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Hibs threatened again shortly after the restart when Elding broke through the middle and attempted to round Bain, only for the Falkirk goalkeeper to make an excellent challenge.

The hosts were awarded a penalty around the 55th minute, but a VAR review determined that the contact had occurred outside the box. Boyle subsequently sent the resulting free-kick over the bar.

Hibs enjoyed plenty of possession during the second half, forcing Falkirk into a determined defensive effort, but struggled to create clear-cut chances as frustration grew.

Falkirk had an opportunity to extend their lead with around ten minutes remaining when Owen Eames got on the end of Barbrook’s effort, but Sallinger produced an outstanding save.

Bain was then called upon at the other end, diving to his right to keep out Jamie McGrath’s low strike. McGrath had another opportunity moments later but dragged his effort wide.

The closing stages proved nervy for the visitors, but Falkirk’s defence held firm through three minutes of added time to seal a hard-fought victory and take all three points back to FK2, with Murrell’s first-half double proving decisive.