Falkirk and Motherwell remained in the top six after a forgettable 0-0 draw at the Falkirk Stadium.
Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswanhise came closest to breaking the deadlock shortly after half-time when his close-range effort was saved by Scott Bain.
Despite the stalemate, Well stay third and are now unbeaten in seven league matches, while newly promoted Falkirk sit sixth, having avoided defeat in five straight games.
The match began brightly for Falkirk as Alfredo Agyeman flashed a low shot just wide from the corner of the box, and a minute later Callum Slattery saw a shot blocked from the edge of the area. Motherwell then controlled possession for long spells but rarely carved out clear chances.
Falkirk had another chance in the 27th minute when a clever free-kick found Agyeman in a similar position, but his effort was deflected into the side-netting. Motherwell full-back Emmanuel Longelo produced a neat piece of skill to drift inside the box but his shot clipped the near post and went wide.
The best chance arrived soon after the break when a long ball over the top exposed Falkirk defender Liam Henderson. Maswanhise rounded his opportunity with a brilliant touch but could only fire straight at Bain. Bain was required again five minutes later to deny a Filip Lissah deflection from Tom Sparrow’s shot.
At the other end, Brad Spencer’s 40-yard looping free-kick nearly embarrassed Motherwell keeper Calum Ward, drifting inches wide of the far post. Substitute Ethan Williams nearly provided the needed moment in the 75th minute with a powerful half-volley that narrowly missed Ward’s near post.
Falkirk finished the stronger after making several attacking changes but could not fashion a clear opening. Lissah did produce an acrobatic attempt from the edge of the box that flew straight at Ward, and the game ended goalless.
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