Falkirk ran out deserved winners at Links Park and had it not been for Dundee goalkeeper Kyle Gourlay the margin of victory would almost certainly have been greater.

The Dens keeper was in action in the opening minutes, saving at point blank range from Bairns striker Bob McHugh.

Gourlay then tipped an Alex Cooper header onto the bar before collecting it before the eager Bairns forwards could pounce.

Dundee were struggling to get the ball upfield but they did create an opening when Darryl Meggatt and Jesse Curran combined to feed Calvin Colquhoun in the Falkirk box. Unfortunately, the ball caught under Colquhoun’s feet and he failed to generate enough power in his shot to trouble visiting keeper Graham Bowman.

Matty Allan came to the Dens side’s rescue on 12 minutes with a saving tackle on McHugh, but the opening goal was only delayed.

After McHugh spurned a great chance to put Falkirk in front, Scott Shepherd showed him the way with a surging run through the home defence, giving Gourlay no chance with a low drive.

Dundee’s trialist winger did well out on the left to create a chance for himself but his shot was deflected into Bowman’s hands.

Falkirk’s pressing meant Dundee were finding it difficult to mount a serious attack, but Dylan Carreiro earned a free kick when he was fouled on the edge of the penalty area. Unfortunately, Meggatt’s free kick went straight to Bowman.

Just before half time Gourlay produced another top drawer save as McHugh set up Thomas Grant for what looked like a certain goal.

Dundee upped the pace at the start of the second half and Carreiro brought out a fine stop from Bowman who got a fingertip to the youngster’s fierce shot.

However, on the hour mark, the Dens men fell further behind, Grant lashing home a powerful strike from 12 yards.

Manager Eddie Johnson brought on Liam Gibb and Taylor Berry for Jesse Curran and Sam Dryden with 25 minutes left, but Falkirk continued to dominate.

Meggatt played in Carreiro but his powerful shot hit a visiting defender and was cleared.

Gourlay pulled off a remarkable double save 10 minutes from the end from Kevin O’Hara and Cameron Blues and in the last minute the keeper denied Blues again with a terrific save.

FT: Dundee 0 Falkirk 2

Dundee: Gourlay, A Black, Priest, Gadzhalov, Meggatt, Dryden (Gibb 65), Curran (Berry 65), Allan, Colquhoun, Carreiro, Trialist.

Falkirk: Bowman, Finlayson, Gallacher, Blues, Muirhead, Johnson (Mitchell 46), Grant, Blair, Shepherd, McHugh (O’Hara 70), Cooper.

Report: Jim Davie