Falkirk promoted to Scottish Premiership
Falkirk 3 - 1 Hamilton Academical
Falkirk came from behind against their relegated visitors to seal promotion to the Scottish Premiership
Author - Sean M
Stadium - Falkirk Stadium
Livingston's failure to beat Partick Thistle eased Falkirk's passage, as the league leaders held off a late surge from David Martindale's side in style thanks to an Ethan Ross double and a fine Calvin Miller strike.
A closer look at how Falkirk returned to the top flight
Despite dropping eight of the previous nine points available, Falkirk still held their fate in their own hands. Yet the route to the title proved far more fraught than many had expected, especially considering the healthy lead they had once enjoyed at the top of the table.
An early goal was the plan, but it came from Hamilton instead.
Home goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth did well to stop Nikolay Todorov's effort, but Scott Robinson, the captain and former Livingston forward, was quickest to react and tucked away the rebound, silencing the home support.
The Scottish Championship rarely passes without drama, and the final day proved no exception.
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It was a bitter blow for Falkirk, both on the scoreboard and psychologically. Livingston, who had looked out of contention only weeks earlier, suddenly moved into top spot by a point.
If Falkirk were to lift the trophy, they had to respond. And they did, with conviction.
They ramped up the pressure but were repeatedly frustrated, until Scott Arfield was brought down right on the edge of the area. Ross stepped up, picked his moment, and fired centrally past Dean Lyness. The home crowd erupted.
Soon afterwards, word spread through the stands that Livingston had fallen behind to Partick Thistle. Momentum shifted once more, this time decisively in Falkirk’s favour.
The decisive second goal came amid a scramble in the box. Ross was again on hand, hammering home from close range to put Falkirk within touching distance.
When Miller gathered the ball on the left, danced past his man and drilled it into the far corner, the celebrations began in earnest.
It has been a remarkable climb for John McGlynn's side, rising from League One to the Scottish Premiership. Next season, they will take their place at the top table once again.
