Match ends, Partick Thistle 0, Falkirk 1.
Partick ThistlePartick Thistle0FalkirkFalkirk1
Falkirk knocked Premiership side Partick Thistle out of the Scottish League Cup with a second-round win at Firhill.
The Championship side took the lead in the first half through Peter Grant's powerful effort.
Mathias Pogba's aerial presence caused Falkirk problems but the Bairns managed to maintain their clean sheet.
And David Smith could have doubled the visitors' lead with a shot that was saved by Tomas Cerny.
Peter Houston's side go into Thursday's draw for the next round.
Throughout a first half short on goalscoring opportunities it was the Bairns who impressed the most thanks to a solid disciplined display.
Grant deservedly fired them ahead when he lashed past the helpless Cerny.
Thistle manager Alan Archibald introduced Pogba, older brother of Juventus and France star Paul, for David Amoo at the interval.
And the substitute immediately made his presence felt, causing new problems for the Falkirk backline.
It was from one of Pogba's flicks that Steven Lawless had an opportunity, only for the diminutive Thistle midfielder to fire over.
Pogba should have levelled when he found himself free inside the Falkirk penalty area only to be thwarted after a jinking run by the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Danny Rogers.
Though Thistle dominated possession, they lacked penetration and the Bairns sought to extend their advantage.
Smith skilfully got himself into a shooting position but could not beat Cerny.
But one goal proved to be enough for last season's Scottish Cup finalists.
Line-ups
Partick Thistle
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Cerny
- 2Miller
- 19Hendry
- 3Seaborne
- 5Booth
- 6Osman
- 22FraserSubstituted forMcDaidat 83'minutes
- 11Lawless
- 10StevensonSubstituted forWilsonat 75'minutes
- 7AmooSubstituted forPogbaat 45'minutes
- 9Doolan
Substitutes
- 12Scully
- 13Frans
- 17Lindsay
- 18Wilson
- 20McDaid
- 21Leyden
- 99Pogba
Falkirk
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Rogers
- 7Taiwo
- 44Watson
- 14GrantBooked at 80mins
- 3Leahy
- 8Alston
- 6VaulksBooked at 79mins
- 11Kerr
- 10Sibbald
- 9Baird
- 17SmithSubstituted forMuirheadat 85'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Muirhead
- 5McCracken
- 12Bowman
- 18Miller
- 20Cooper
- 22Blair
- 23Shepherd
- Referee:
- Craig Thomson
- Attendance:
- 2,221
Match Stats
Home TeamPartick ThistleAway TeamFalkirk
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home4
- Away4
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away3
- Corners
- Home6
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Partick Thistle 0, Falkirk 1.
Post update
Foul by Peter Grant (Falkirk).
Post update
Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle).
Post update
Will Vaulks (Falkirk) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Abdul Osman (Partick Thistle).
Post update
John Baird (Falkirk) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Tom Taiwo (Falkirk) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
Substitution
Substitution, Falkirk. Aaron Muirhead replaces David Smith.
Substitution
Substitution, Partick Thistle. Declan McDaid replaces Gary Fraser.
Booking
Peter Grant (Falkirk) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle).
Post update
Peter Grant (Falkirk) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Booking
Will Vaulks (Falkirk) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Mathias Pogba (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Paul Watson (Falkirk).
Post update
David Wilson (Partick Thistle) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by John Baird (Falkirk).
Substitution
Substitution, Partick Thistle. David Wilson replaces Ryan Stevenson.
