Falkirk 2 – 2 Dundee United

Tait 50′ Ross 73′       Watters 40′ Dolcek 71′

Newly promoted Falkirk and European hopefuls Dundee United shared 4 goals in a thrilling match.

New signings Watters and Dolcek had twice put Jim Goodwin’s team ahead, but Dylan Tait and Ethan Ross hit back for The Bairns.

Falkirk were playing their first top-flight game since May 2010, and they started quickly. They worked the ball well down the left, but the subsequent cross was inches ahead of summer signing Brian Graham.

Falkirk’s best chance came after 20 minutes, McCann whipped a cross from the left which evaded Kucherenko, but Calvin Millar could not deflect goalwards.

John McGlynn’s side were dominating the ball, but the final touch, pass, or touch was not sticking for them.

Dundee United were coming off the back of their European away trip to Luxembourg, they looked lethargic at first but grew into the game after the 20th minute. New signing Camara drove down the right after Brad Spencer gave up possession, the onrushing Max Watters met his cross, but the header lacked power. The aforementioned Camara had been excellent in the first period; he was both physical and dynamic, regularly running at the Falkirk backline.

Jim Goodwin looked a frustrated figure for much of the first period, but his side took the lead on 39 minutes. The ball dropped for Max Watters following a cross, and he powerfully dispatched it past Scott Bain.

The home side responded with further pressure, but Brian Graham was unable to bundle a loose ball into the net. After Scott Arfield dragged a shot wide, the referee blew his halftime whistle.

Despite being behind, there was plenty of encouragement for the Scottish Championship winners.

Falkirk drew level at the start of the second half. Adams brought down the right-hand side, his cross was laid off to Dylan Tait, who dispatched past Kucherenko. The Bairns were wasteful in the first period, but this move was slick and ruthless from John McGlynn’s team.

Veterans Brian Graham and Scott Arfield were brought off for Ross MacIver and Aiden Nisbett. Nisbett was involved in a corner kick move that left Ethan Ross in space, but his strike was straight at Kucherenko.

Dundee United hadn’t been at their best for the opening hour, but they looked threatening on the counterattack. Summer signing Zac Sapsford managed a goal and an assist over two legs against Strassen and was causing problems down the Falkirk left. He found space in the box after cutting in but dragged the left-footed shot wide.

Falkirk threatened again through substitute Ross MacIver, Ethan Ross picked up the ball and played through the big striker, but his strike was dragged wide.

The game sparked back to life after 70 minutes with 2 quick goals. Two new signings, Camara and Dolcek, linked on the left side of the box, the latter beat Bain at his near post to send the United fans into raptures.

But Falkirk bounced back immediately, Keelan Adam’s low cross found Ethan Ross, his deflected shot evaded Kucherenko.

With five minutes of additional time, both support groups were hopeful of securing the victory. However, these to sides would have to settle for a draw. For Falkirk, they visit Livingston on Saturday, for United, a trip to Austria in the 3rd Round of conference league qualifying.

Falkirk: Bain, Adams, Henderson, Neilson, McCann, Tait (Cartwright 79’), Spencer, Arfield (Nesbitt 58’), Ross, Miller (Agyeman 75’), Graham (Maciver 58’)

Bookings: Adams 56’

Dundee United: Kucherenko, Sevelj, Iovu, Esselink, Keresztes, Dolcek, Camara, Sibbald, Pappoe (Thomson 83’), Watters (Stirton 65’), Sapsford.

Bookings: Sapsford 49’ Keresztes 61’ Iovu 68’ Pappoe 74’