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An error from goalkeeper Ross Doohan led to Zak Rudden scoring for Falkirk

Falkirk moved off the bottom of the Championship thanks to a Zak Rudden goal at Somerset Park as Ayr United missed the chance to regain top spot.

The on-loan Rangers striker scored from close range after goalkeeper Ross Doohan spilled a Ross MacLean shot.

Ayr had the ball in the net in the first half but Craig Moore's effort was ruled offside.

The hosts remain three points behind leaders Ross County, who lost at Morton on Friday.

Five of the Bairns' seven January signings started. It is only Falkirk's fourth league win from 20 matches this season and the visitors looked confident with their recent additions gelling well.

Ciaran McKenna was largely composed at the back, Ian McShane always wanted the ball in midfield, and Mark Waddington offered several glimpses of good close control going forward.

Ayr nearly netted towards the end when Steven Bell's misdirected shot prompted mayhem the penalty area, but goalkeeper David Mitchell bravely cleared.

'Gamble paid off' for Falkirk - reaction

Falkirk manager Ray McKinnon: "We took a gamble with five players coming into the team who were really lacking in match fitness. But we had to do something different to what we did in the first half of the season. The gamble paid off and hopefully we can add three or four more bodies this week."

Ayr United manager Ian McCall: "The last few games we've needed to be more clinical. I can't be harsh on Ross Doohan because he's not made any mistakes since he can't here, but he made one today and that cost us.

"The boys should've got him out of jail at the end - I don't know how it didn't go in. It's very frustrating. Any team in Scotland would miss Lawrence Shankland (calf injury) but hopefully he'll be back next week."