PETER Houston left his post as Falkirk manager last night “to help get the club moving again” after a disappointing start to the Championship campaign.

The former Dundee United manager led Falkirk to the Scottish Cup final in 2015 as well as back-to-back second-place finishes in the past two seasons.

However, winless after seven Championship matches, Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Livingston – the same team which knocked Houston’s side out of the Betfred Cup in the second round – spelled the end for the former Scotland No.2, as well as his backroom staff James McDonaugh and Alan Maybury, with club legend Alex Smith set to take interim charge of the first team ahead of their trip to face Morton. 

Houston said: “I’d like to thank all the players and the backroom staff for their undivided support through the last three and a bit years.
“We are disappointed with the start to the season and the board and I have come to a mutual agreement that to get the club moving again it is best that someone fresh is brought in.

“It has been a decent three or so years; there have been some real highlights, including reaching the Scottish Cup final and finishing second, but we just fell short of the goals that we all hoped we could achieve.”

Falkirk chairwoman Margaret Lang added: “We are extremely disappointed that we haven’t been able to progress  this season and as a result we have come to a mutual agreement with Peter, James and Alan. I have nothing but admiration for the job all three have done for our club and wish them the very best in the next chapters of their careers.”