Promotion-chasing Falkirk failed to break down a stubborn Ayr as they were held to a 0-0 draw.

The hosts looked the more likely in the first half as Stewart Murdoch's header rattled the bar while both Mark Millar and Kallum Higginbotham went close before volleys from David Weatherston and Craig Sibbald were well blocked.

Ayr's Edward Malone and Tom McManus were booked for unsporting behaviour in a scrappy affair.

The game picked up after half-time, with Falkirk's top scorer Farid El Alagui, who was subject of a bid from League Two Crawley Town in the week, looking lively.

It was his impressive strike partner Higginbotham who could have sealed all three points, but his shot was excellently blocked by Kevin Cuthbert in the six-yard box.