Ten-man Dundee have slipped off the Championship summit after this dismal 2-0 defeat in Falkirk.
The Bairns have replaced them at the top of the table following a thoroughly deserved win over a Dark Blues side that looked anything but promotion contenders.
The home side began the brighter and had a couple of early chances before taking the lead in the 16th minute when Phil Roberts embarked on a blistering run down their right flank before cutting the ball back to Conor McGrandles whose crisp shot from 12 yards cannoned off a post and into the back of Kyle Letheren’s net.
Ten minutes later, Falkirk should have extended their lead when on-loan Dundee United player Mark Millar found himself one on one with Letheren but the big keeper saved the midfielder’s shot.
However, the Dundee stopper was sent for an early bath in first-half stoppage time when he brought down Rory Loy as he raced through on goal.
The same Falkirk player took the penalty but substitute Dark Blues keeper Dan Twardzik pulled off a superb save to deny Loy.
Falkirk continued to carve open Dundee at will in the second half and the only surprise was that it took them until the 73rd minute to extend their lead.
A Roberts cross was deflected into the path of Loy who made up for his earlier penalty miss by accepting the tap-in with glee.
See Monday’s Courier Sport for full reaction and analysis.