On a freezing cold night at Rugby Park Killie scored in 40 seconds then held on for the next 89 minutes to snatch all three points. Gordon Greer lined up at left back as Killie looked at possible replacements for the suspended Garry Hay this weekend.

Killie started fast and took the lead before many fans had taken their seats. Murray sent Campbell racing down the left and when the big striker cut the ball back to the edge of the area Gary McDonald calmly sent a low drive into the corner of the net. If the visitors were shocked they certainly hid it well and immediately set about looking for an equaliser.

Moutinho shot tamely at Bell in three minutes then Rodriguez headed over from a free kick. Killie were finding it hard to find any rhythm but much like their first team, the Bairns looked lightweight in front of goal. Five minutes from the break Moutinho set off on a lung bursting 40 yard run but his final shot was comfortably held by Bell.

The same pattern continued after the break but when Moutinho picked up a lucky rebound his well struck shot was superbly saved by Bell. In 56 minutes the Bairns had a golden chance to equalise when the ref pointed to the spot after Lilley had fouled McSween. Moutinho stepped up but once again Bell pulled off a fine save.

The keeper made his best save in 70 minutes when he pushed away a drive from O'Donnell who cracked a low drive from 12 yards. Campbell should have scored on a rare Killie break but fired over after springing the offside trap. McPherson had the final chance of the night but he could only hit the side net with a left foot shot.

Bell was oustanding for Killie whilst McDonald and Loy worked hard to get the team moving. Greer put in a decent shift at left back and may be JJ's preferred option to replace Hooky at Tannadice. The visitors will wonder how they never took anything from the game but they appear to have the same problems in the "final third" as the big team. Moutinho was easily their most impressive player but he looked like he'll need ten chances to score one.

Kilmarnock: Bell, Mort (Flannigan 59), Greer, Lilley (O'Leary 77), Wild, Loy, McDonald, Campbell, Coyne (Noble 71), Leven, Murray.
Subs (not used): Logan, Cox.

Falkirk: Howard, Scally, McPherson, Dodd, Rodrigues, Lecsinel, Lima, Theobald, Moutinho, O'Donnell, McSween (Churchill 74).
Subs (not used): Hill, Arfield, Robertson, Boyle.