Kilmarnock 1 Falkirk 2: Lovell the hero and the villain as Bairns triumph

STEVE Lovell scored before being sent off as Falkirk moved off the bottom of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with victory at Kilmarnock.
The Englishman, who had a first-minute goal ruled offside, struck a volleyed opener in the first half with team-mate Scott Arfield doubling the visitors' lead after the break.

Lovell then received a straight red card after 70 minutes for a clash with home defender Jamie Hamill.

Kilmarnock, who saw David Fernandez and Craig Bryson denied by impressive saves from visiting goalkeeper Scott Flinders on either side of the interval, managed an injury-time consolation from substitute Donovan Simmonds, but Falkirk held on for their first away win of the season.

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies made just one enforced change to his starting team.

Defender Simon Ford missed out because of a hamstring injury picked up early in the previous week's win against Motherwell, and was replaced in the third-placed side's line-up by James Fowler, who had come on for him in that game.

Falkirk, bidding for their first away win of the campaign and only their third victory overall, made two chances to the side which lost at home to Aberdeen last weekend.

Defender Lee Bullen was suspended after his last-minute red card, and was replaced by Gerard Aafjes, while Graham Barrett started in place of Michael Higdon who dropped to the bench.

The game kicked off in lashing rain and a howling wind, but the appalling conditions did not prevent Falkirk finding the net inside the first minute – only to see Lovell's far-post connection with Barrett's cross ruled out for offside.

Falkirk earned a series of early corners, one of which was delivered from the right by Neil McCann and saw Alan Combe react well to punch it away from the near post.

Conor Sammon had Kilmarnock's first real chance after 11 minutes, forcing visiting goalkeeper Flinders into an impressive close-range block as he met Danny Invincibile's cross from the right wing.

Manuel Pascali then curled an effort over the top right-hand corner of the goal after 20 minutes following good work by Mehdi Taouil to evade his two markers on the left wing and send in a cross which was played on by Fernandez.

Falkirk broke the deadlock on 27 minutes when Lovell hit the net for the second time in the game, in impressive style.

McCann's corner from the right was punched out by Combe, who slipped on the rain-lashed surface – but as he regained his footing, Jackie McNamara headed the ball back in and the English striker volleyed home the opener.

Kilmarnock almost restored parity three minutes later, but Hamill's 25-yard curling shot from near the left touchline flew just wide of the opposite post.

Fernandez came even closer to equalising on the stroke of half-time, but his header from inside the area was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Flinders.

Kilmarnock were again denied a goal within 90 seconds of the restart – Invincibile crossed from the right and Craig Bryson met the ball at the far post, but Flinders managed to touch his apparently goalbound effort onto the post and to safety.

Sammon then sent a cross right along the six-yard line but strike partner Fernandez narrowly failed to connect with a diving header as the hosts seized the initiative in their attempt to get back on level terms.

Instead, though, the visitors could have extended their lead on 48 minutes when Arfield sent a 25-yard free kick, carried on the strong wind, curling narrowly wide.

Falkirk successfully made it 2-0 with a penalty as the second half approached its midway point, Arfield coolly converting from the spot after Hamill brought down Barrett in a tussle on the right edge of the six-yard box.

Lovell received a straight red card 20 minutes from time after kneeing Hamill as the pair slid to the ground on the touchline after clashing for possession.

Players of both sides raced in to remonstrate in the angry aftermath, with Barrett also picking up a booking.

Kilmarnock pressed for a goal against the 10 men but even when Flinders spilled an Invincibile cross nine minutes from time, Kevin McBride was quickly on hand to clear the loose ball.

Sammon sent an acrobatic overhead kick narrowly over the bar with five minutes remaining, and Pascali later directed a header from Taouil's corner wide of the near post.

However, the hosts reduced the deficit with an injury-time consolation from Simmonds, who headed home at the near post following a cross from the left by fellow substitute Willie Gibson.