Match Report

Sunday, 30th November, 2008

by Rob Fairburn

Falkirk 1-1 Hibernian

SUPER-SUB Colin Nish came off the bench to rescue a point for Hibs - then copped a booking for having a bit of banter with the Falkirk fans. The ex-Dunfermline striker was given pelters from the Falkirk fans but responded by getting his name on the score sheet with seven minutes left to play.

He then ran over to the home faithful to show his glee and that earned him a yellow card from referee Alan Muir.

Nish said: "They kept calling me a Fifer, probably because I played for Dunfermline. But just let them know I'm from Edinburgh."

"It was a bit of banter and I ran over to them when I scored but the ref felt it was a booking."

"I was delighted to score and hopefully that will make the manager's decision picking the team next week a lot harder."

Kevin McBride had the first chance in seven minutes but his drive rattled the side netting.

Dean Shiels responded immediately but just as he was about to pull the trigger Darren Barr saved the Bairns with a sliding tackle.

Shiels was left holding his head in his hands after 15 minutes when he was set up by Steven Fletcher only to slice his 20 yard shot woefully wide of the upright.

Derek Riordan had a volley spilled by the shaky Scott Flinders but he recovered to tip Fletcher's free-kick wide.

Fletcher showed his threat with an outrageous bicycle kick that drifted wide but as half-time approached Falkirk were again on the offensive with Burton O'Brien's free-kick forcing a save from Yves Ma-Kalambay.

Hibs were still dangerous on the break with Riordan's shot deflected over the bar and from his corner on the hour Flinders misjudged the flight of the ball and Sol Bamba headed over from close range.

The Edinburgh side missed another great chance in the 62nd minute. Shiels played in David Van Zanten and his cross picked out Fletcher at the far post, but from two yards out he sent his header wide.

And the away side were soon punished when they failed to clear a corner in the 68th minute and Burton O'Brien floated a cross to the back post.

Ma-Kalambay came out but quickly realised he wasn't going to get there and Falkirk skipper Darren Barr stole in to squeeze the ball into the empty net.

Falkirk were well in control but the introduction of Nish for Riordan in 75 minutes gave the Easter Road men a target to hit.

And within eight minutes of coming on Nish had found the back of the net to save Hibs.

Alan O'Brien hit the corner in from the left and Rob Jones out jumped Flinders who could not hold the ball under pressure.

It dropped nicely for Nish to nod home from close range and then picked up a yellow card for his celebrations.

Hibs could even have stolen a victory they would not have deserved in the dying minutes when the ball ran through to O'Brien but his shot was blocked by Lee Bullen.

Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen said: "I was not at all happywith our passing.

"There was a huge difference between this week and last week and I have to say I am delighted with a point because it is a hard place to come to."

"I don't remember them creating that many chances which is pleasing, while I counted four which we should have scored."

"On another day if we had been sharper we might have won it but all in all our passing has to be better."

"All credit to Falkirk because they were hungry and showed a lot of spirit. It was frustrating to concede a goal from a set piece but again credit to the player for squeezing it in from a difficult angle."

REF WATCH: ALAN MUIR was praised for his performance by Falkirk manager John Hughes and he did get all the major decisions correct. He seemed indecisive at times but overall allowed the game to flow and kept the cautions to a minimum. Rating 7/10.