Falkirk 2 - 0 Alloa Athletic: Falkirk move second after beating Alloa

Falkirk climbed into second place in the Scottish Championship with a 2-0 home win over bottom-of-the-table Alloa.

With Rangers and Hibs in Scottish Cup action this weekend, the Bairns took advantage as they made it five games unbeaten.

Alloa survived an early scare as goalkeeper Scott Gallacher spilled Craig Sibbald's effort, with the ball cleared for a corner, which was hacked off the line.

But Falkirk went ahead in the 28th minute when Paul Watson nodded in a corner from Blair Alston, who was earlier denied by Gallacher.

Falkirk doubled their advantage eight minutes later, Mark Kerr curling into the top corner following a terrific team move.

Watson headed against the inside of a post before Bairns substitute Lee Miller saw his effort cleared off the line as Alloa's winless run extended to seven.