Match report: East Fife 2-1 Falkirk

To preserve it they'd need to be at their best against a side which hadn't yet lost away from home in the current campaign.

Something had to give, but it was the Fifers who were left with their record intact at 4:45 on Saturday afternoon.

Nobody could deny them the victory, something acknowledged by Bairns co-boss David McCracken post match when he admitted his team had been outworked over the 90 minutes by Darren Young's side.

The visitors made a bright enough start to the game with ex-Fife winger Callumn Morrison looking bright.

Morrison did everything he could to try and get service to his front men, Anton Dowds and Conor Sammon, but their route to goal was blocked at every turn by the partnership of Chris Higgins and Craig Watson which impresses more game by game.

After East Fife had managed to navigate their way through some early Falkirk pressure they took more of a foothold in the game.

The hosts took a deserved lead on the 20 minute mark when Falkirk failed to clear Scott Agnew's free-kick and first to react six yards out was skipper Kevin Smith who finished from close range.

The goal should have acted as a wake up call for the Bairns but it failed to stir them from their slumber.

Instead it was the hosts who look more likely to grab the game's second goal, and they should have done just that barely minutes later.

Jack Hamilton robbed Ben Hall deep inside the Falkirk half and his delivery into the box was met by Agnew six yards out.

The midfielder should have done better with his effort which he battered high over the bar.

East Fife took their goal advantage in with them at the break and would have anticipated a reaction from the title chasers after the re-start.

And react they did, with Falkirk level within seconds of the half kicking off.

Sammon managed to get in behind the Fife defence and fire a shot away which was blocked by Brett Long.

First on to the loose ball was Morrison who restored parity.

The next 20 minutes were frantic with both sides having great chances to get their noses in front.

East Fife thought they'd edged ahead only for Danny Denholm's goal to be chalked off for offside while Long pulled off a stunning save at the other end.

With time getting on, the next goal was always going to be crucial and it fell for Young's side.

Captain Smith was again involved, whipping an excellent delivery into the box towards Hamilton.

The young striker was determined to get on the end of the cross and did just that, outmuscling his markers and beating Robbie Mutch.

Falkirk made a series of changes as they tried to get back on level terms again but looked like they'd run out of ideas with Agnew passing up a great chance in the closing minutes to settle matters.

Home boss Young was understandably chuffed with what he saw.

He said: "We knew how we wanted to play, and how to get about them.

"I'm delighted to get the three points and delighted with the performance from start to finish.

"We had a wee wobble when they came out flying at the start of the second half and then Brett has made a great save.

"He played his part and that's what he's there for and then, up the the other end, big Jack gets on the end of a cross.

"We were unlucky not to get another goal or two and saw out the game well."

Opposite number McCracken was honest in his assessment.

He said: "They deserved to win and we deserved nothing out of the game.

"I we had got an equaliser it would have been unfair on East Fife because they worked hard on their shape and just worked harder than us.

"They created opportunities but we had about 10 minutes at the start of the second half and that was about it.

"The goals we lost were disappointing.

"We've told the players that, just because we're at the top of the league, nothing is done yet.

"We still have games to play and there are loads of points to be won and lost."