Coyle thwarted by Novo's rebound

Falkirk 1 Dundee 1

A decade ago, Owen Coyle's goals were inflicting FA Cup embarrassment on the likes of Everton and Arsenal, but he was denied another chapter of giant-killing yesterday.

An equaliser from Nacho Novo cancelled out the goal from Falkirk's player-manager in this absorbing Scottish Cup quarter-final, but Dundee should beware. When Coyle and Bolton went on their memorable FA Cup run, the successes at Highbury and Goodison came in replays.

There was a 10-minute delay to kick-off as the 7,500 crowd were pushed into Brockville. Remarkably, the place has altered little since 23,000 were here in 1953 for a Cup tie with Celtic, but its decay is one reason why the club start work on a new stadium today.

Dundee, however, have been familiar visitors. This was their third trip to Brockville in three years on Scottish Cup duty, and they won each time. However, here they encountered a vastly different Falkirk team, one that head the First Division and could be in the Scottish Premier League next season.

Falkirk's 4-0 demolition of Hearts in the third round had ensured that their reputation preceded them and Dundee paid strict attention to Collin Samuel, who scored a hat-trick on that occasion. The Trinidadian forward was given little room to use his pace and it was Dundee who made the better opportunities in a frenetic first half.

Steve Lovell should have given the visitors the lead after 12 minutes when a quick exchange of passes between Novo and Georgi Nemsadze released the Englishman, who slipped his shot past the goalkeeper Alan Ferguson but also wide of a post. Nemsadze, the gifted Georgian, then evaded a succession of tackles before setting up Lovell, who again failed to profit.

Falkirk began to carry much more menace in the second half and it was no surprise when Coyle put them ahead in the 56th minute. A free-kick from Jamie McQuilken was allowed to drift to the back of the area, from where Lee Miller delivered a low cross that was neatly clipped in by the right boot of Coyle from eight yards.

However, nine minutes later Dundee restored parity. A long, searching pass from Fabian Caballero allowed Novo to break behind the defence and, though Ferguson parried the first effort, the Spaniard buried the rebound into the roof of the net.

Falkirk 1
Coyle 57

Dundee 1
Novo 66

Half-time: 0-0 Attendance: 7,403