Falkirk vs Dumbarton preview - Duo's race against time

Posted Tuesday, April 16, 2013 by PA

Falkirk's Blair Alston and Connor McGrandles face a race against time to be included against Dumbarton after limping off during Saturday's Hampden heartbreak against Hibs in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

Striker Lewis Small is definitely absent with a shoulder injury as Falkirk look to put their cup disappointment behind them.

Technical director Alex Smith said: "We are concentrating more on a fantastic opening 45 minutes than anything else. We were always the underdogs in that game but we showed how good we can be in the first half.

"We won four First Division games in a row leading up to the Hibs game so we can go into this one with confidence."

Dumbarton will look to move three points clear of Cowdenbeath and six clear of Dunfermline at the foot of the table by winning, although they will have to do it without the injured Paul McGinn (hamstring) and Nicky Phinn (calf).

Manager Ian Murray is asking his men to get a crucial three-game period off to a great start against the Bairns.

He said: "This is the first of three huge games for us as after Falkirk we have Airdrie and Cowdenbeath.

"Winning this game would give us a great platform to go out and secure First Division safety.

"Falkirk were great in the first half on Saturday and had won their four games before that so the players know that we will have to play well to win."