Falkirk draw first leg against Hamilton Academical

Falkirk came from behind late on to share a 1-1 draw with Hamilton Academical in their Scottish Premiership semi-final playoff this evening.

The visitors tested Michael McGovern inside the opening five minutes when Jason Scotland tried to smash the ball in from the centre of the box, but the Falkirk keeper was alert and made the stop.

Scotland and Ali Crawford continued to threaten for Hamilton in the opening 10 minutes, but they were unable to claim an early goal.

Falkirk started to find their way into the game, with Mark Millar creating two chances in the space of five minutes, but he had his first saved before firing his second wide.

Mark Beck and Conor McGrandles had further chances for the home side in the first half, but Kevin Cuthbert saved both to keep the sides level.

The hosts continued to create the majority of the chances at the start of the second half, but Cuthbert remained alert to deny Craig Sibbald and Rory Loy.

Hamilton started to see more of the ball, and were able to break the deadlock on the hour mark when Darian McKinnon blasted the ball into the top corner.

Beck came close to getting Falkirk back on level terms straight away as he tried to head in from a Ziggy Gordon corner, but Cuthbert kept it out.

Falkirk continued to press, and were able to get back on level terms inside the final 10 minutes when Beck tapped in from a Loy cross, ensuring that the sides will head into the second leg level.