Farid El Alagui's ninth goal of the season was enough to give Falkirk a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morton.

The League's top scorer's effort kept Falkirk second in the table.

Morton could have taken the lead midway through the first half but Darren McGeouch's drilled effort was well tipped around the post by Michael McGovern.

The same player tried his luck from long range towards the end of the first half, but again McGovern made the save.

Instead Falkirk took the lead on the hour mark, David Weatherston's pinpoint cross finding El Alagui who slammed his effort into the roof of the net.

Peter MacDonald almost equalised late on but McGovern punched his powerful effort clear.