Scottish Championship round-up: Falkirk defeat Dunfermline to stay second

Falkirk maintained their hold on second place in the Scottish Championship as they fought back from a goal down to defeat 10-man Dunfermline.

Nicky Clark put the Pars ahead on 35 minutes with a low shot before Aaron Muirhead levelled from the penalty spot soon after half-time.

The visitors received a boost when Dunfermline substitute Lewis Martin was sent off for a foul just before the hour mark and Nathan Austin came off the bench to head home the winner for the visitors 20 minutes from time.

Dundee United kept the pressure on Falkirk as a late winner from Blair Spittal gave them a 3-2 victory over St Mirren at Tannadice Park.

Thomas Mikkelsen fired United ahead after just seven minutes but Gary Mackenzie headed an equaliser for the visitors to send the sides in level at the break.

Tony Andreu restored the Tangerines' lead when he scored from a free-kick on 66 minutes but the game appeared destined to end in a draw when St Mirren again equalised four minutes from time through Josh Todd.

But Spittal ensured the gap to Falkirk remains just a point when he hammered home from 20 yards in the final minute.

Morton clinched a play-off berth as they battled to a 1-1 draw with bottom-of-the-table Ayr at Cappielow.

Lawrence Shankland gave Morton the lead on 38 minutes before Craig Moore rasped home an equaliser just before the half-time whistle.

Dunfermline's loss at Falkirk coupled with Queen of the South's 2-1 defeat at home to Dumbarton mean Morton can no longer be overhauled in fourth place with just two games remaining.

Dumbarton gave their survival hopes a huge boost as Robert Thomson's headed first-half winner at Palmerston Park lifted them three points clear of ninth-placed St Mirren.

Stephen Dobbie had put Queens into the lead after 15 minutes but Hibs loanee Sam Stanton levelled just five minutes later with a stunning free-kick and Thomson secured all three points when he nodded home Christian Nade's cross.