Falkirk 0 - 0 Gretna: Falkirk find visiting keeper an immovable force as Gretna earn share of the spoils

IF THE SPL were looking for a way of showing Falkirk the error of their ways then this was perfect. John Hughes' side should have been performing elsewhere in a more meaningful arena, and they played as if they knew it.

While the Bairns' narrow failure to make the top-six forced them into this inconsequential fixture with already-relegated Gretna, Hughes tried his best to prove this was not a typical meaningless post-split game by going with a full-strength line-up, save the introduction of on-loan Ipswich Town keeper Shane Supple for his first outing since signing in January.

However, it was only late on when the ignominy of a home draw with a supposedly down-on-their-knees Gretna finally appeared to hit home that the home side came to life. When they did, substitute Russell Latapy and Kevin McBride shaved the goal frame and Pedro Moutinho found visiting keeper Greg Fleming an immovable force on more than one occasion.

Falkirk enjoyed the possession throughout but in a strong breeze failed to find the incisiveness their patient build-up deserved. On a rare occasion they did in a poor first-half, Graham Barrett couldn't make the most of a clear run on goal.

Gretna's patched-up side deserve great credit for the way they have reacted to the club's financial travails. Their ramshackle collection of on-loan youngsters and those spared the cull of administration were resolute and determined from start to finish and fully merited a second successive goalless draw.

Redundancies have shorn the Raydale Park side of a natural striker, however, and while full-back Kyle Naughton did a good impersonation of an SPL marksman it was always likely to be their downfall, particularly against one of the top flight's impressive defenders in home skipper Darren Barr. Gretna's squad are all playing for their futures as the season, and possibly the club's existence, winds down and Fleming in particular showed potential suitors his abilities with a full-length dive to tip Barrett's netbound shot away in the 63rd minute. Moments later the 21-year-old blocked Tam Scobbie's effort at his near post after Rhys Meynell had headed over his own bar from Moutinho's corner.

Ben Wilkinson almost gave his watching father, former Leeds manager Howard, something to make the long journey worthwhile when he got on the end of Abdul Osman's cutback. However, the on-loan Hull City midfielder got the ball stuck under his studs and couldn't direct his flick on target.

Fleming again impressed with a sound stop from Moutinho's 20-yard free-kick and a later drive as Falkirk stepped up the pressure with time running out but they were almost caught on the break when Supple was forced to touch Naughton's shot round the post to keep the scoreline blank.





'Honest' Accies head for SPL with attack on doomed Gretna

HAMILTON Accies chairman Ronnie MacDonald last night launched a remarkable attack on Gretna. His outburst followed questions over whether he believed that Hamilton, who yesterday clinched promotion to the SPL, could avoid being relegated at the end of next season, a fate suffered by the bankrupt Gretna.

"It is an insult to Hamilton Academicals to compare us with Gretna," said MacDonald. "We're a club with traditions and a ground. We're an honest club who pay our way and which believes in old-fashioned virtues like balancing the books."

MacDonald believes that football clubs are more than businesses and should service the communities in which they are based. He places almost total reliance on youth development. He forcefully rejects the idea that clubs should buy in more experienced players at the expense of home-grown talent or that they should spend beyond their means. "No, we're not going to bring in any old lags on their last legs," he said. "Even though we'll be in the SPL we will still be a community-based club, we will still be a club which helps kids stay out of trouble, we will still be a club which knows that the secret of success is hard work and organisation."

MacDonald has a track record of standing by his principles. When he was at Clyde, the other directors refused to plough profits back into the club, so he left and took over at struggling Hamilton, who were then in the second division.

"I'm very happy," he said yesterday. "The town's got its football team back, it's got something to take pride in."

Meanwhile Gretna caretaker manager Mick Wadsworth last night gave hope the Raydale Park side can survive beyond the end of the season when he revealed there are now four parties in takeover talks with the club's administrators.