Watch how Falkirk sealed promotion on dramatic night

Martin Dowden
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Ipswich Town's rise to the Premier League in England gave Falkirk the inspiration to achieve their own back-to-back promotions, manager John McGlynn said after they secured the Scottish Championship title with victory over Hamilton Academical.

The Bairns had to come from behind against their relegated visitors to seal their return to the top flight after 15 years.

Livingston's failure to defeat Partick Thistle eased Falkirk's passage, as the league leaders held off a late surge from David Martindale's side in style thanks to an Ethan Ross double and a fine Calvin Miller strike.

"First day back we said 'Ipswich'," McGlynn told BBC Scotland. "They've just gone back-to-back, can we do it?

"It's not something you say publicly. But reality is reality and the start we got, the spirit we have... I'm just delighted for everyone at the football club."

Despite dropping eight of the previous nine points available, Falkirk's destiny remained in their hands, albeit the journey over the line proved far more nerve-wracking than anticipated given the lead they once held in the table.

An early goal was sought and delivered - by Hamilton.

Home goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth saved from Nikolay Todorov, but captain and former Livingston forward Scott Robinson was alert and seized on the chance to tap home and stun the home crowd.

This Championship tends to deliver drama and the final day was always going to follow that script.

It was the last thing Falkirk needed and a huge psychological blow. At that stage, Livingston had assumed pole position in the title race by a point, having had almost no chance just weeks ago.

If Falkirk were to win this title, it was time to respond. They ultimately did so in style.

They upped the pressure but could not breech their opponents until Scott Arfield was felled on the edge of the box.

Ross struck, seemed to outfox Dean Lyness in goal and the ball flew home centrally, to the overwhelming delight of the home crowd.

Soon after, news filtered through that Livingston had fallen behind to Partick Thistle and the pendulum swung firmly in Falkirk's favour, never to return.

The crucial second arrived when the ball bounced dangerously around the box and Ross was alert to smash home from close range to put the title win within grasp.

When Miller gathered on the left, jinked and thumped home into the corner, all their dreams came true.

It has been a remarkable journey for McGlynn's squad from League 1 to the Premiership, where they will take their place at the top table next season.

Arfield achieves dream promotion

In the build-up, the enormity of this match was not lost on McGlynn and the experienced Arfield, who returned to the club in February.

Both referenced this moment as potentially transformational for Falkirk in almost every way imaginable.

The manager suggested the sky being the limit if they achieved this, even going so far as citing European football as an aim.

Arfield cited his experience of relegation with Falkirk 15 years ago as the exact reason he came back to the club to "right that wrong."

Mission accomplished. What a personal moment for him and, for the club, is this monumental?

They will face challenges as they prepare for the Premiership. McGlynn's guidance has brought admirers and the flair within this squad will no doubt have equally impressed.

They will not care a jot about any of that right now. They got there in the end and this achievement will last long in the memory of these supporters.

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