| Date | Saturday, 06 April 2002 |
|---|---|
| Competition | Scottish League Division 1 |
| Fixture/Score | Ross County 4:2 Falkirk |
| Venue | Victoria Park |
| Attendance | 2,715 |
| Referee | Eric Martindale |
| Comments | Match Report Report from the Press & Journal. Ross County 4 Falkirk 2 Falkirk took a step nearer relegation to the Second Division--despite controlling the match for the first hour at Dingwall. Bairns boss Alex Totten said: "We were on top in the first half and took our goals well and we also created a number of other chances. But you've got to be able to hold on to your lead and not doing so has been our problem." Falkirk remain second-bottom, having lost their chances to go within four points of Caley Jags, who were beaten by Ayr. The Bairns got off to a flier when Lee Miller headed home a Jamie McQuilken cross in the sixth minute. County were back on level terms 11 minutes later when Greg Denham fouled Brian Irvine inside the area and Alex Bone sent Falkirk keeper Myles Hogarth the wrong way from the spot. Falkirk restored their lead eight minutes from the break when Steven Craig fired through the legs of County keeper Tony Bullock. Steven MacKay, back from a long period with Elgin City, replaced Sean Webb in the 57th minute and a couple of minutes later County were on level terms. Hugh Robertson played a neat one-two with Brian Irvine on the edge of the 18-yard box before picking his spot behind Hogarth. It was all County now and Conor Gethins took advantage of a bad slip by Keith Brown to steer the ball home from 12 yards in 77th minute. County captain Steven Ferguson made sure there was no way back for the Bairns when he added a fourth four minutes later when he gently chipped Hogarth from the edge of the area. County boss Neale Cooper said: "The main priority this season was to stay in the division. It has been the tightest one I've been involved in. Although we're safe now, the boys will be trying their best in the last three games." Modesty indeed from a boss whose team are only six points behind second-placed Airdrie. |
| Ross County | |
| Manager | Neale Cooper |
| Starting 11 | 1: Anthony (Tony) Bullock, 2: Hugh Robertson 1, 3: Ian Maxwell, 4: Richard Hastings, 5: Sean Webb, 6: Mark Perry, 7: Brian Irvine, 8: Kenneth Gilbert, 9: Steven Ferguson 1, 10: Alexander Bone 1 (1 pen), 11: Conor Gethins 1 |
| Bench | 0: Leslie Fridge, 0: Nicolas Kuyper, 0: Don (JNR) Cowie, 0: Steven MacKay, 0: Mark McCormick |
| Falkirk | |
| Manager | Alex Totten |
| Starting 11 | Myles Hogarth, Greig Denham, Keith Brown, Andy Lawrie, Jamie McQuilken, Garry McStay, Mark Kerr, Ian Morris, Lee Miller 1, Patrice Tano, Steven Craig 1 |
| Bench | Darren Hill, Joe Boyle, Steven Rennie, Ricky Waddell, Kenny Deuchar |