FALKIRK and Queen of the South continue to match each other stride for stride in the race for play-off places.
Both gathered three points after hard-fought victories to move closer to third-placed Rangers.
Falkirk left it late to see off Alloa Athletic 3-1 at Indodrill Stadium last night, scoring twice in the final 12 minutes.
Kevin Cawley served early warning that Alloa, under caretaker manager Paddy Connolly, were to prove troublesome hosts as he forced a good save from Jamie MacDonald.
The goalkeeper had to react swiftly shortly afterwards to deny Ryan McCord after a mistake by Kieran Duffie.
It was Falkirk who took the lead after 17 minutes through a wonderful strike from Luke Leahy after a Blair Alston corner broke to him at the corner of the penalty box.
David Smith could have added a second before half-time but shot against Craig McDowall's legs.
Alloa equalised in the 57th minute when Cawley left MacDonald with no chance with a crisply-struck shot.
Liam Buchanan should have put Alloa in front when he had a free header but directed his effort at MacDonald and Falkirk survived.
John Baird put Falkirk back in front with a composed finish after Will Vaulks had prised open the Alloa defence in the 79th minute and Alex Cooper then netted a third with just three minutes remaining.
Queen of the South had moved four points clear of Falkirk earlier in the day with a 2-1 win over Raith Rovers at Palmerston.
It took the home side just eight minutes to get in front. David McGurn had done well to touch a Mark Millar shot for a corner kick but Millar curled the ball to the far post for Iain Russell to net.
Raith looked vulnerable at corners and Stephen McKenna almost added a second goal from another set-piece but could not trouble McGurn.
With Queen of the South on top, Russell tried an ambitious effort from all of 40 yards but it just cleared the crossbar, much to McGurn's relief.
But Raith hit back. Zander Clark saved well from Martin Scott and Ryan Conroy's follow-up shot was blocked.
Queens did not heed the warning and Lewis Vaughan equalised with a stunning strike from the edge of the area.
Gavin Reilly restored Queen of the South's lead eight minutes before half-time after good work from Michael Paton.
Both sides had chances in the second half but there was to be no further scoring.
Reilly should have added a third early in the second half but his effort was well saved.
McKenna missed a decent chance late on for Queens when he did not make proper contact from a corner.
Derek Lyle then sent a header over the crossbar from Russell's cross but Queens were more than satisfied with the three points.
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