Gretna 0-4 Falkirk

Falkirk gave Gretna a baptism of fire in their SPL debut as midfielder Michael Higdon netted a vital first half double.

The former Crewe man headed past Greg Fleming in the 13th minute, then struck from close range just 10 minutes later.

Pedro Moutinho struck home in the 66th when Russell Latapy sent him clear with a defence-splitting pass.

Latapy added a fourth in the 74th with a long-range drive to complete Falkirk's rout of the SPL debutants.

The First Division Championship flag was unfurled before kick-off and Gretna held the edge in the early stages, demonstrating the type of enthusiasm that has seen them soar through the Scottish football ranks.

Indeed, David Irons' men could have taken the lead in the eighth minute when Falkirk defender Kenny Milne slipped up to let Allan Jenkins hook up with Colin McMenamin and go one-on-one with new keeper Tim Krul.

However, the Dutchman parried and Jack Ross cleared the rebounding shot from Fabian Yantorno.

But it was Falkirk who opened the scoring in the 13th minute when left-back Scobbie picked up a Higdon pass down the left and flighted a cross in to the penalty area.

Scobbie leapt to nod the ball past Fleming and claim the Bairns' first goal of the new season.

Gretna had a chance to level the score shortly afterwards, but the opportunity was wasted when Colin McMenamin went past Ross and watched Krul block his shot, then Yantorno sent the rebound over the bar from 18 yards out.

Just 11 minutes later, Higdon was again on the score sheet when midfielder Steven Thomson's 15-yard shot rebounded off the crossbar and Higdon place it coolly into the corner of the net for his second of the day.

When the teams returned from the break, Gretna continued to show signs of promise, but struggled to overcome the deficit.

Higdon almost added a third to his account shortly after the hour mark, but fell victim to some poor finishing.

Latapy played the goal-hero clear, but he could only hit the side-netting from 12 yards out.

However, six minutes later, Moutinho made it three for the visitors with a superb solo effort when he went clear against Fleming after some good work by Latapy.

Latapy was at the heart of the action just eight minutes later when he ended the notion of a dream start for Gretna with a solo effort, which he sent from long-range to give Fleming no chance.

As the seconds ticked out, Irons' beleaguered side simply couldn't muster a response, and the long trip down the M74 will seem all the more daunting for the home fans.

Source: BBC Sport