Falkirk to face Rangers in Scottish Cup final

Falkirk will face Rangers in an all top-flight Scottish Cup final after beating Dunfermline 2-0 in their semi-final here at Hampden Park on Sunday.

Tam Scobbie’s goal early in the second-half, when he turned in a Neil McCann free-kick with his shoulder, sent Falkirk, bottom of the Scottish Premier League on their way, before Scott Arfield settled the outcome of the match in the 89th minute from the penalty spot after Greg Ross tripped McCann.

Victory meant that Falkirk are assured of a place in the Europa League, the successor to the UEFA Cup, next season, regardless of the outcome of the May 30 final at Hampden, with Rangers already assured of European football next term.

Fewer than 18,000 fans were present in the national stadium on Sunday, compared to the more than 32,000 that witnessed Rangers’ 3-0 win over St Mirren a day earlier.

Falkirk created what chances there were, with Michael Higdon going close early on when a shot from more than 20 yards brushed the outside of the post.

Arfield then saw a tame shot and a weak header both saved by Pars keeper Paul Gallacher before Dunfermline wasted a chance when Graham Bayne failed to divert an off-target Alex Burke shot.

Before half-time, Gallacher made a brave diving block to deny Carl Finningan as Falkirk sought a breakthrough.

But the goal they were looking for came in the 54th minute when Dunfermline failed to deal with McCann’s curling free-kick, with Scobbie scoring with his shoulder after mistiming a header.

At 1-0, there was still the prospect of a Dunfermline equaliser but the result was put beyond doubt when substitute Ross fouled McCann in the box and Arfield scored from the resulting penalty.