Alan Cochrane @ Rugby Park

Disappointment; an opportunity missed; we let ourselves and the supporters down - just a few of the comments from the manager and players after this poor result here today. According to Jim Jefferies, about the only player to come out of the affair with any credit was Craig Bryson, but despite the team being unchanged from a decent outing against Hibs last week, this performance was a world away from that.

And yet, we had had a lively opening, with two goals in the first 8 minutes brightening up a cold and overcast December day only 6 days before Christmas. As far as Killie were concerned, it was a false dawn.

With only two minutes gone, Finnigan volleyed in a cross from the right to give the visitors the lead, but six minutes later, Danny Invincibile returned the complement from a Garry Hay cross, which Olejnik did touch, but couldn't keep out.

Although there were no more goals in the first half, there were, initially at least, chances at both ends, with Killie probably just having the edge. Burchill had a couple of decent efforts saved, Kyle missed a chance or two, but at least he was in the danger area, and Hay and Bryson continued to prod, while for Falkirk, Arfield shot wide, and then just before the break, Finnigan headed over.

From Killie's point of view, the second half was woeful. Neither Invincibile nor Taouil could make an impression, Kyle and Burchell didn't gel, we lost control of the middle of the park, and caused the Bairns next to no problems at all. In 57 minutes Falkirk got a second, and even if it came directly from a corner, it was no more than they deserved. Finnigan hit the corner in from the left, no-one touched it, and it nestled inside Brown's back post.

Although Killie did mount a cavalry charge last 5 minutes, the game had gone, and Falkirk had another couple of very good chances to increase their lead, but Moutinho shot over both times. To have any chance next week at Tannadice, it will need to be a whole lot better.

Kilmarnock: Brown, Hay, Fowler, Wright, Ford, Bryson, Taouil, Invincibile (Owens), Kyle, Hamill (Russell), Burchill

Falkirk: Olejnik, Barr, McLean, Twaddle, Pele, Moutinho (Murdoch), Lima, Arfield, Flynn (Bullen), Finnigan, Zerara

Referee: Crawford Allan