| Date | Saturday, 17 March 2001 |
|---|---|
| Competition | Scottish League Division 1 |
| Fixture/Score | Falkirk 1:1 Ross County |
| Venue | Brockville |
| Attendance | 1,955 |
| Referee | Tom Brown |
| Comments | Match Report Report by Scott Macnab for the Press & Journal. Falkirk 1 Ross County 1 Ross County defender Ian Maxwell has hit back at claims he should have been sent off. Angry Falkirk boss Alex Totten and Bairns striker Steven Craig both claimed the County man should have been dismissed when Craig appeared to be hauled down when clear through on goal in the 43rd minute. However, referee Tom Brown waved away the claims and County went on to grab an equaliser. Maxwell said: "Craig just misjudged the bounce and thought it was coming straight up, but I could see it was going to run on a bit. He stopped and I ran on and we both collided. It was a tangle more than anything and I don't think it was a foul. "I don't even think he dived, because it was a tangle and we both ended up on the deck. These things can go either way, though, and I've seen them given for less. "Overall, I thought it was a good game and both teams tried to get the ball on the floor and play football. "That's twice we've come down here this season and taken something from the game, which is good going considering we're just in the league." The Bairns took the lead in the 33rd minute when Andy Seaton's free kick was knocked on by Davie Nicholls. Craig's looping effort rebounded off the junction of bar and post, but Gareth Hutchison was on hand to nod home his 10th goal of the season. County grabbed a stunning leveller in the 49th minute when Darren Henderson lashed a 25 yard effort into the corner of the net. The Bairns had another penalty claim turned down two minutes from time when Brian Irvine seemed to foul Craig. County boss Neale Cooper said: "We look stronger with all the new boys, but we're playing twice a week between now and the end of the season so we know it will be tough." The Bairns have now gone seven games without a win. However, they did manage to partially plug the leaky back line that has seen Alex Totten's side lose 10 goals in the last two Games. Craig said: "That's the third time in the past two weeks that I've had penalty claims turned down against County. There was another the week before. "It's beginning to feel as it referees have a vendetta against Steven Craig." Totten said: "I couldn't have asked more of the players in terms off effort and commitment. "You always need a little bit of luck in this game and perhaps we are not getting our fair share at the moment." |
| Ross County | |
| Manager | Neale Cooper |
| Starting 11 | 1: Joseph (Nicky) Walker, 2: Mark Perry, 3: Ian Maxwell, 4: Hugh Robertson 1, 5: Brian Irvine, 6: Steven Ferguson, 7: Darren Henderson 1, 8: Franck Escalon, 9: Karim Boukraa 1, 10: Alexander Bone, 11: Mark McCormick |
| Bench | 0: Garry Hamilton, 0: Edward Cunnington, 0: David MacKay, 0: John Fraser, 0: Derek Holmes |
| Falkirk | |
| Manager | Alex Totten |
| Starting 11 | Myles Hogarth, Greig Denham, Andy Seaton, Andy Lawrie, Garry McStay, Steven Rennie, Davie Nicholls, Gareth Hutchison 1, Mark Roberts, Kevin McAllister 1, Steven Craig |
| Bench | Darren Hill, Mark Kerr, Ian Morris, Kenny Deuchar, Chic Pearson |