Falkirk paid the penalty for not taking their chances as they had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw at home to Queen of the South.

Peter Houston's side viewed it as two points dropped after Rory Loy, who had opened the scoring from the penalty spot, saw a second penalty come back off the crossbar.

It was rough on the striker who, moments earlier, had seen his net-bound shot strike the arm of Mark Durnan, which led to the Queen of the South player being sent off.

Falkirk dominated much of the first half and deservedly moved in front after 16 minutes.

Loy, their main threat, was fouled by Durnan in the penalty area and sent the resultant spot-kick low beyond Jim Atkinson.

John Baird almost doubled Falkirk's advantage early in the second half when he lobbed the ball over Atkinson, but Durnan scurried back to scramble the ball against the post and prevent a certain goal.

Queen of the South always looked menacing on the break and they equalised after 56 minutes when Falkirk failed to deal with an Ian McShane corner and Iain Russell found the net.

Then came the pivotal moment in the match when Durnan was dismissed, but this time Loy failed to apply the killer touch.

Falkirk pressed and Will Vaulks was just inches too high with a long-range effort, then Atkinson pulled off a fine save to keep out Alex Cooper.

Raith Rovers held off an eager Dumbarton to take three points in a 2-1 home victory but they were indebted to David McGurn, their goalkeeper, in the closing stages.

He managed to claw a Scott Agnew shot onto his crossbar as Dumbarton turned the screw in the closing stages.

Raith did not look in any trouble for most of the game as they sped to a 2-0 lead.

After Mark Stewart had struck the post with an early shot, Ryan Conroy put them ahead from the penalty spot in 28 minutes after Chris Turner had fouled Grant Anderson. Anderson added a second four minutes later when he headed home at the back post after a great run and cross by Ross Callachan.

Stewart should have made it 3-0 just after half-time when he was clean through on the goalkeeper but shot wide.

Dumbarton finally responded and Mitch Megginson pulled a goal back after McGurn had saved from Agnew after 82 minutes.

Megginson then struck the crossbar from close range with Raith on the ropes when he should really have done better.

Dumbarton were left frustrated when McGurn pulled off a heroic save in a frantic finish.