Kieran Watson is just inches away from scoring a terrific opener.

The Spartans defender sweetly catches the ball with an acrobatic effort, but the ball whizzes agonisingly just wide off a post.

Another chance spurned by Aberdeen.

This time a corner comes in from the right. It's nodded back across goal and Gavin Molloy plants a header at goal, but goalkeeper Calum Ferrie can hold easily.

John Robertson
Former Hearts striker on BBC Sportsound

There's no attempt to play the ball.

That's a straight red card, I don't care what anybody says.

He absolutely smashes him, he knows what he's doing.

A cynical foul by Sean Mackie on Kenneth Vargas results in a yellow card for the Falkirk man. He tripped Vargas as the Hearts forward was building up a head of steam.

Hearts head coach Steven Naismith none too pleased about that one.

Paul Watson is perhaps lucky to escape with only a booking following a very rash challenge on County forward Jordan White.

On a second look, he's definitely gone in studs up on the striker's lower leg.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Sport Scotland at Pittodrie

Queen's Park are visibly growing into this game.

For all of Aberdeen's possession, it is the Glasgow side who should be ahead.

And they now will feel they can get at their hosts, who in Milne and Molloy have a very young central defensive pairing.

County are beginning to find their feet now in the capital.

Another quick attack has Spartans in disarray, but Ronan Hale's near-post strike is stopped and held at the second attempt by goalkeeper Jacques Heraghty.

Chances galore so far at the Falkirk Stadium, mostly for Hearts.

Will the visitors rue those misses?

Image source, SNS

Superb play up the park between Canada international Victor Loturi and striker Jordan White culminates in the latter firing wide from just outside the Spartans box.

First real glimpse of Premiership class from the visitors after 18 minutes played.

Queen's Park should be ahead!

Dom Thomas steals the ball from the Aberdeen back-line and goes one-on-one with Dimitar Mitov.

Instead of pulling the trigger, the winger squares to Zak Rudden, who is denied by the despairing block of Jack Milne.

It's end to end in Falkirk.

Yutaro Oda is one-on-one with goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth and it's the Falkirk stopper who prevails. Oda had options in the middle, but went for the shot - another chance.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill is taking in some prime League Cup action this afternoon at Ainslie Park.

Image source, SNS

Cammy Russell takes aim again for the hosts, this time from a long-range free-kick.

It doesn't trouble goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw this time, but it was still a fair effort from a good 30 yards out.

A bit of a dust-up in the visitors' box as Pape Gueye challenges Calum Ferrie in the air and the Queen's Park goalkeeper comes back down to earth with a bump.

The Senegalese striker goes into the book as a result.

Seb Palmer-Houlden's impressive start to the season continues as he notches his fifth goal already in Dundee colours.

Airdrieonians fail to effectively clear the ball from a corner, allowing the striker to stab it home from close range.

County goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw is forced into a fine stop to deny a looping effort from Spartans attacker Cammy Russell.

John Robertson
Former Hearts striker on BBC Sportsound

There is a big threat in this Falkirk side and they'll not just sit back and accept that Hearts are going to dominate this game.

Now Falkirk threaten.

Gary Oliver latches on to Ethan Ross' pass and gets away a shot, but goalkeeper Craig Gordon is quick off his line to make the block.

Brilliant play from Aberdeen down the left almost results in a goal.

Jack MacKenzie and Jamie McGrath exchange the ball, with the left-back then played in behind.

MacKenzie jinks inside and shoots with his right, but Jack Turner makes an important block to deny a certain goal.