Calvin Miller and Ethan Ross of FalkirkImage source, SNS
Image caption,

Ethan Ross joined Falkirk permanently this season after a successful loan spell last season

Impressive Falkirk ended Ayr United's unbeaten start to the Scottish Championship season as they moved level on points with the league leaders thanks to an Ethan Ross double.

Falkirk, whose remarkable 43-game unbeaten league run ceased against Raith Rovers last week, showed no signs of feeling sorry for themselves and were utterly dominant against Scott Brown's side.

Ross' first was a composed finish at the near post after Gary Oliver nicked possession in Ayr's half and fed the 23-year-old.

He showed the same level of composure for his second, stroking back across goal to round off a rapid move, spearheaded by Calvin Miller, who found his fellow winger.

Although Ayr were comfortably second best, they do remain top of the table on goal difference.

Had any of Falkirk's other chances gone in - via Ross, Miller or Brad Spencer, who was inches away from a wonder strike - John McGlynn's side would have gone top of the pile.

Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "The guys executed the game plan really well, it was nice to bounce back. There was a question mark today, which put pressure on the players, having lost that game [last week], were they going to feel sorry for themselves. They had to respond, and they did, so I am absolutely for them.

"It's another clean sheet, too. Nicky [Hogarth] only had run of the mill saves and we were a constant threat, so all-in-all a really good day's work."

Ayr United manager Scott Brown: "It was very disappointing, from the word go. There was no desire, no willingness, we weren't a unit, we were miles off it.

"It looked like we got a fright - a big crowd here, talk of we're going to win the league, Falkirk are going to win the league - and that happens to players. They then underperform, believe the hype and are knocked down. Hopefully, that'll be the last time we get knocked down and have that performance, because I don't really know what kind of performance that was, if I'm honest.

"There are eleven places up for grabs now, because I'm not dealing with that."