MATCH REPORT: Forfar Athletic 0-2 Falkirk

Charlie Telfer and Blair Alston got the goals either side of half time in a match where the home side made things difficult for the Bairns but provided little threat in the attacking areas.

The opening 20 minutes set the tone for the match with Falkirk having a lot of possession without too many chances as Aidan Keena dragged a shot wide and Blair Alston headed over.

Forfar, as expected, were proving difficult to break down as they defended stubbornly and in the end it was a bit of luck for the visitors that helped them break the dealock.

Charlie Telfer struck a lovely dipping effort from 25 yards but it looked as if McCallum had it covered at his near post.

The former Livingston and Plymouth Argyle stopper, usually a standout for his side, did not get enough of a hand on the ball and could not prevent it creeping in at his near post.

I was well struck by Telfer but still a shot you would have expected the keeper to deal with.

The hosts did provide some threat, mostly on the break, and Scott Fenwick saw a close range shot deflected over the bar on 40 minutes.

At half time, despite the set back of going a goal behind, the home side’s game plan was largely working as they kept Falkirk’s attackers mostly quiet.

Any plans they had to keep that up and try and nick and equaliser went out the window two minutes in to the second half though when McCallum attempted to pass the ball out to his centre back but instead gave it straight to Blair Alston who gratefully rifled the ball in to the net for Falkirk’s second.

After that the three points were as good as secured as Robbie Mutch’s quiet afternoon continued through to full time.

Blair Alston came close to adding a spectacular third for the visitors when his free kick, 25 yards out on 80 minutes, beat McCallum but came back off the post and Forfar managed to clear just before substitute Akeel Francis could pounce on the rebound.