Kilmarnock had opportunities as they looked to follow up last week's
4-1 win over Inverness with another three points, but the lack of
quality in the game meant stalemate was a fair outcome.
Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies also made no changes to his XI,
although Willie Gibson returned to the squad after injury as a
substitute.
The first 10 minutes was subdued but then came the chance for Finnigan
Gerard Aafjes burst forward, and after seeing his shot blocked the ball
came back in his direction.
Rather than shoot again, Aafjes fed Finnigan but his effort was
brilliantly saved by Alan Combe.
Combe
was called into action again from the corner from Kevin McBride which
followed, and denied Darren Barr as Kilmarnock rode their luck.
The Bairns needed to be positive in their penultimate game before the
split but their approach play was disappointing.
Killie's Danny Invincibile saw a shot blocked by Barr in the 20th
minute, and team-mate James Fowler's ambitious effort from outside the
penalty area was saved by Robert Olejnik as the visitors offered their
first threat.
Finnigan's strike partner Graham Barrett was the next to threaten an
opening goal but his header was held by Combe.
Scott Arfield, who was on Scotland Under-21 duty in midweek, fired
over the Killie bar as Falkirk continued to push for a goal.
Kilmarnock midfielder Iain Flannigan shot wide as the visitors
reminded the hosts of their desire to finish the season well.
Garry Hay went into the book in the 39th minute for fouling Flannigan
and Thomas Scobbie's subsequent free-kick caused trouble for the Killie
defence who just about averted the danger.
Barr headed wide from McBride's right-side corner soon afterwards,
and Arfield became the first Falkirk player to be booked, following a
foul challenge on David Fernandez.
A third yellow card in six minutes came just before the break, when
Killie's Mehdi Taouil was punished for catching Barr.
Hughes
brought on Pedro Moutinho at half-time, in place of Kenny Milne, in an
attempt to give his Falkirk side more punch up front.
The Portuguese forward had a shot saved by Combe soon after his
introduction.
Kilmarnock's former Clyde attacker Craig Bryson scored twice last
weekend and threatened to get on the scoresheet again shortly before the
hour mark but missed the target. Arfield also drew a save from Combe at
the other end.
Moutinho saw another shot blocked before it reached Combe, and the
anticipated flurry of substitution arrived just after the 70-minute
mark, shortly after Finnigan saw Combe keep his header out.
The home side brought Latapy on in place of Scobbie, and Arnau Riera
replaced Patrick Cregg, while Killie withdrew Fernandez and introduced
Gary Wales.
Bryson struck another shot off target before David Lilley headed over
Olejnik's crossbar.
Falkirk had grabbed a late winner at Inverness a fortnight ago but
the hero that day, Billy Clarke, remained on the bench on this occasion
with Hughes having used up his allocation of substitutes.
Killie brought on veteran midfielder Allan Johnston for the closing
five minutes, in place of Taouil, but the former Hearts and Sunderland
winger could not influence the outcome.
