Allan Walker played a captain’s role as Raith Rovers kept up their 100% start to the season at Falkirk Stadium.
The midfielder scored one and set up another to secure Grant Murray’s fifth straight win since taking over as Rovers manager.
Murray’s appointment was a popular choice among the players and Walker believes that has been reflected in Rovers’ recent results.
”Grant was the players’ choice, so we need to keep him in the seat,” Walker said. ”He’s got good back-room staff around him, and he’s taken on the manager’s role with ease.
”You can’t do pranks on him any more because he’s the gaffer, but he’s still the same guy. Everyone respects him.”
Walker, who racked up 200 appearances for Raith in the midweek cup win over Montrose, is also delighted to wear the captain’s armband.
”I was shocked to get it but, on a personal note, it’s great,” he said. ”I’m delighted that he’s put faith in me and hopefully I can repay him.”
Rovers were under the cosh in the opening 20 minutes as Falkirk bombarded the away goal.
There were just 30 seconds on the clock when Lyle Taylor stung the palms of David McGurn from a tight angle, but the Bairns striker missed an even better chance in the fourth minute, poking the ball wide when clean through.
Rovers weathered the early storm and created their first chance in the 25th minute when Brian Graham shot straight at Michael McGovern from close range.
Graham then scraped the post with a shot on the turn from 20 yards while there was a let-off for Raith in the 42nd minute when Eddie Malone almost deflected a Taylor cross into his own net but was relieved to see the ball just clear the bar.
Rovers pushed forward in the final minute of the half and were rewarded with the opening goal.
Jason Thomson’s cross was headed back across goal by Graham and Walker took a touch before rifling the ball past McGovern from 12 yards.
Rovers doubled their advantage just two minutes after half-time when Walker bombed forward to cross for unmarked Pat Clarke to sweep the ball home at the back post.
Falkirk saw a lot of the ball in the second half as they looked for a way back into the game but the rock-solid Rovers defence nullified the home side’s threat.
Raith boss Murray was delighted to continue his winning run.
”Falkirk caused us a lot of problems early on, so to come in at half-time 1-0 up shows how much character and belief the players have,” he said. ”I’m just new into the job but the players have done the business out on the park for me so all the credit goes to them.”