Falkirk Fights Back to Draw with Hibernian in Scottish Premiership
Falkirk staged a remarkable comeback from two goals down to secure a draw against Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership, marking their fourth consecutive draw under manager David Gray.
Following a disappointing exit from the League Cup over the weekend, Gray sought a positive response from his Hibernian side against their promoted rivals.
The match began positively for Hibs when Martin Boyle converted a penalty after a VAR review determined that Falkirk's Ethan Williams had handled the ball in the box. Initially, play continued, but referee Callum Scott was called to the monitor and reversed his decision.
Just before half-time, Jamie McGrath extended Hibs' lead by capitalizing on a loose ball in the Falkirk box, spinning past defenders and firing a low shot into the bottom corner.
However, Falkirk responded quickly when Ross MacIver turned in a cross from Ethan Williams, reducing the deficit just before the break.
With 25 minutes remaining, Liam Henderson headed in the equalizer for Falkirk, escaping Rocky Bushiri's mark to glance the ball past Hibs goalkeeper Raphael Sallinger.
Both teams pushed for a winner, but ultimately settled for a point.
This result allows Falkirk to distance themselves from the bottom of the Premiership table, while Hibs remain unable to close the gap on the top two teams.
Analysis: Tenacious Falkirk Apply Pressure on Hibs
David Gray had expressed concerns about conceding goals at inopportune moments, and once again, Hibs fell victim to this issue. Despite establishing a two-goal lead, MacIver's goal shifted the momentum, leading to a tense second half.
This late goal also highlights Hibs' struggle, as they have now conceded four times in the final 15 minutes of first halves this season, the most in the Premiership.
With Celtic and Hearts now six points ahead, Hibs must convert these draws into victories soon.
Credit goes to Falkirk, who clearly gained confidence from their goal, likely spurred on by manager John McGlynn's halftime instructions. They maintained pressure on Hibs in the second half, leading to Henderson's equalizer from a corner.
Even after leveling the score, Falkirk sought to secure a win, introducing substitutes Brian Graham, Alfredo Agyeman, and Scott Arfield with under 20 minutes remaining. They were unafraid to challenge Hibs and created more scoring opportunities.
Falkirk's performance showcased their potential as they proved capable of competing with one of the stronger teams in the league.
What They Said
Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "We never fail to entertain; we play good football and strive to attack in every game. The mentality shown by the players, coming back from 2-0 down against a team like Hibs, speaks volumes about their fighting spirit."
Hibernian head coach David Gray: "I thought Falkirk started better. It took us five or ten minutes to adjust to the speed of the pitch. Once we found our rhythm, we probably got away with the fact that they should have scored first. We had enough chances to secure the win, which is frustrating, and we conceded an inexcusable goal from a set piece. It felt like Falkirk had the momentum and noise in the stadium to win the game."
What's Next for These Teams?
Both teams face challenging fixtures ahead. Hibs will travel to Parkhead to face Premiership champions Celtic, while Falkirk will head to Tynecastle to take on Derek McInnes' Hearts, with both matches scheduled for Saturday at 15:00 BST.