Match Report

Sunday, 4th January, 2009

by Brian Welsh

Falkirk 1-1 Kilmarnock

RUGBY PARK boss Jim Jefferies last night hailed Killie goal hero David Fernandez and insisted the Spanish striker is now in the form of his life.

After last week's super show in the 4-2 win at Hibs, Fernandez was Killie's star man again yesterday with the 32-year-old topping off his display by bagging his side's second-half equaliser.

And Jefferies believes the former Airdrie, Livingston, Celtic and Dundee United star is playing his best football ever.

He said: "David was the one player who maintained the standards set last week.

"It was fitting he got the goal as he was the best player on the park by a long way.

"These last two or three weeks is as good as he has ever played."

Fernandez, who spent five years plying his trade in Spain before trying his luck in Scotland in 2000, admitted he is happier than he has ever been in the game.

He said: "I'm really enjoying my football at Kilmarnock now.

"When we click and play the way we did in the second half we will get far more wins than defeats that's for sure.

"We had the two best chances in the first half and were unlucky.

"But at half-time the gaffer just told us to push forward more and try to pose them problems and we got the goal we deserved."

Falkirk who started on the front foot and threatened within 50 seconds when Scott Arfield side-footed Michael Higdon's lay-off just past the post.

Killie responded on the counter in 29 minutes with Willie Gibson driving low across goal after being picked out in the left channel by Fernandez.

The Spaniard was the creator again four minutes later when he broke on the right and squared to Allan Russell but the striker's poor first touch took him away from goal and his shot was blocked by Robert Olejnik.

Killie were made to regret that miss four minutes from half-time when the Bairns took the lead with a goal which had a touch of fortune about it.

Kevin McBride's weak shot was going nowhere until a deflection off Frazer Wright saw it spin in front of Steve Lovell who flicked the ball past Damien Rascle into the bottom corner.

Lovell looped a shot over soon after the restart but the game really turned in Killie's favour when Jefferies replaced Jamie Hamill with Craig Bryson who started to give them energy and drive from midfield.

Kilmarnock equalised midway through the second half although there was a hint of controversy.

Falkirk's Arnau Riera tried to break free from his box but fell to the deck following a clash with Grant Murray.

Ref Iain Brines allowed play to continue and the ball found its way to Gibson whose cross was glanced in by Fernandez.

Killie should have won it with nine minutes left when Donovan Simmonds met Bryson's cross but the sub headed against the bar. The away side then claimed for a penalty when Murray's shot hit Neil McCann's hand.

Falkirk had one final escape in injury time when Tam Scobbie cleared Wright's header off the line and Murray's effort from the rebound flew wide.

REF WATCH: IAIN BRINES dished out eight bookings which was a bit heavy-handed but he got the big decision right by allowing the David Fernandez second half leveller to stand. RATING: 6/10.