Raith Rovers defender Dougie Hill insisted it felt like a defeat after Falkirk struck in injury-time to snatch a point from Stark’s Park.
Rovers led for most of the match following Grant Anderson’s third-minute opener, but Bairns sub Kris Faulds’ last-gasp wonder strike denied the Kirkcaldy men a third straight league win.
Hill said: “I thought we were comfortable but the boy has hit a great strike from 25 yards. He could hit that 30 times and it wouldn’t go in but it’s just your rub of the green. It was the last kick of the ball so it feels like a defeat.”
Raith got off to the perfect start when Joe Cardle’s corner fell to Anderson 16 yards out and the winger notched his third of the season with a powerful volley.
The home side dictated play in the early stages and Calum Elliot and Kevin Moon both came close to doubling Rovers lead with shots from the edge of the box that narrowly missed the target.
Falkirk’s first chance arrived on the half-hour as Jay Fulton’s corner was headed towards goal by Jonathan Flynn but defender Calum Booth was well-placed to block near the line.
Raith almost started the second half as they did the first as Greig Spence found himself unmarked at the back post just a few minutes after the re-start but Michael McGovern rushed from his line to make a great save.
It was McGurn’s turn to pull off a save a minute later as neat Falkirk build-up ended with Alston’s 18-yard effort being tipped wide by the Raith ‘keeper.
On the hour, Paul Watson was inches away from doubling Rovers lead with a hooked volley from Cardle’s free-kick. A few minutes later, Falkirk sub Rakish Bingham got in behind the Raith defence only to delay his shot allowing Hill to make a challenge.
Raith had a great chance to seal the points with five minutes left as sub Lewis Vaughan had just the keeper to beat but the teenager’s touch deserted him and the chance was gone.
And Rovers were made to pay for that miss in the 94th minute as Falkirk sub Faulds curled a stunning effort into the top corner from 30 yards.
Raith boss Grant Murray said: “We want to be capable of winning games 1-0 but you can’t do it all the time.”