Uproar as Falkirk end Fifers' run

goals by Eddie May and Richard Cadette ended the Fifers' 17-game

unbeaten run. But the Fifers were aggrieved over the astonishing loss of

an equaliser in 56 minutes.

In an incident that had Brockville in uproar Derek McWilliams seemed

to cancel out May's opener for Falkirk five minutes earlier.

Home fans already were furiously pointing to Greg Shaw, who lay on the

ground deep in the Dunfermline half, having taken a knock in an

off-the-ball incident involving Neale Cooper.

Falkirk were poised to restart the game when standside linesman Jim

O'Hare spoke to referee Sandy Roy, who then red-carded Cooper.

Cadette seemed to draw Roy's attention to the linesman and, after a

brief consultation, the referee wiped the goal off.

May put the home side ahead after 51 minutes when he took a Cadette

pass and fired the ball low and hard past Hamilton. Cadette settled the

game in 71 minutes with an angled drive from a Rice pass to give

Dunfermline their first taste of defeat since a 4-1 B&Q defeat in

October -- at Brockville.

Dumbarton 2, Clydebank 2

DUMBARTON got off to a flying start with a first-minute goal. A smart

move from midfield allowed Martin McGarvey a run down the right to send

the ball low across the face of the goal, and Charlie Gibson smacked the

ball home.

Clydebank equalised four minutes later when Davie Cooper started the

move that eventually let John Henry slip the ball in for Craig Flannigan

to score. In another fine move, Mooney brought out a great save from

Monaghan.

Just after the break, Clydebank's Sean Sweeney was booked for a tackle

on Martin Mooney, who recovered sufficiently to send over the vital

cross that paved the way for Martin Melvin to head home.

Mooney, who was Dumbarton's main threat, again was fouled by Graham

Hay and he, too, was booked. Clydebank used both their substitutes and

Sons looked as if they were capable of holding out. But after 83

minutes, substitute Ian Thomson volleyed a Cooper cross home for the

equaliser.

St Mirren 5, Morton 1

SAINTS' whirlwind start left Morton bewildered and increased the gloom

of the Greenock side. With just 13 minutes gone, the Paisley side were

three goals ahead, and on course for two more points to head them

towards the top area of the first division.

With just six minutes gone a mix-up in the centre of the Morton

defence allowed a floating cross to reach David Elliot and he slotted

the ball into the net. Five minutes later, Jim Hunter brought down John

Hewitt and Robert Dawson scored from the spot.

Even though St Mirren were facing a strong wind and driving rain they

went further ahead two minutes later through Paul McIntyre.

Morton's frustration showed with both Mark Pickering and Scott

McArthur being booked.

Five minutes from half-time, Barry Lavety piled on the agony when he

ran through Morton's defence. The ball broke to Jim Dick, who scored the

fourth goal.

Morton, with both their substitutes on during the second half, fought

hard to contain Saints and looked a much better side. They got a reward

for their efforts four minutes from time when substitute Alex McEwan

lobbed in a consolation goal. St Mirren hit back when Lavety headed in a

fifth in the final minute.

Airdrie 0, Hamilton 1

AIRDRIE'S promotion hopes took quite a dent in this Lanarkshire derby

at Broomfield last night.

The game was decided by a single goal, scored by Peter Duffield after

35 minutes.

Derek McGill created the opening for the Englishman, who shot home

from all of 30 yards.

With Falkirk winning at Brockville, it meant that Airdrie slipped

further behind in the race for the one promotion spot to the premier

division.