ALEX Smith has lauded his side for affording incoming head coach Paul Hartley ample cause for optimism after ending his brief tenure as interim manager with a 2-0 win over Dunfermline.
The Bairns’ 77-year-old technical director has proved a steady hand on the tiller following the departure of Peter Houston and proudly steps aside with a record of two wins from two outings back in the dugout.
Hartley observed from the main stand ahead of formally beginning his new role tomorrow and saw the hosts cruise into the quarter-final of the Irn-Bru Cup courtesy of goals from Conrad Balatoni and Myles Hippolyte.
Dunfermline, well-beaten, finished the game with 10 men following a merited red card to Dean Shiels.
“I spoke to Paul [Hartley] after the game and he was delighted with the way they played, defended and built the play,” said Smith. “I know he was impressed by the way we worked from midfield to front; creating chances and staying patient.
“He was happy with what he saw and I know how excited he is to come in. It’s a great start.
“The boys have been magnificent for me, we’ve steadied the ship in the last two games and we can hand over to Paul with a bit of momentum.”
Tentative early exchanges were notable only for some deplorable behaviour from a portion of the Dunfermline support, who responded to pleas on the Pars’ official website to refrain from "abusive, threatening and homophobic" chants by indulging in a particularly explicit, unsavoury song about Hartley.
That minority were silenced after 18 minutes when Balatoni was left unmarked at the back post to volley a Hippolyte corner beyond Sean Murdoch.
Hippolyte doubled the hosts’ advantage on the hour, producing a delightful flick to scamper beyond the attentions of Nat Wedderburn before firing low beyond Murdoch.
The only downside to a satisfying afternoon for Falkirk was an injury to goalkeeper David Mitchell, who was taken to hospital with a suspected dislocated knee.
A final dose of ignominy came for the Pars when Shiels - a red card waiting to happen following an ill-tempered clash with Kevin O’Hara earlier in the half - was dismissed by Steven McLean in stoppage time after a lunge on Joe McKee.
“I think there were maybe some poor remarks made towards Dean,” added Dunfermline boss Allan Johnston. “But he’s experienced and shouldn’t react, so we’ll speak to him.”
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