Falkirk boss Peter Houston: Play-off clash will come down to character

Falkirk boss Peter Houston has laid down the gauntlet to Dundee United after challenging them to prove they can handle the play-off pressure.

The Bairns boss feels his side have the upper hand in their Premiership semi-final shoot-out after twice fighting back to claim a 2-2 first-leg draw at Tannadice.

They now have just 72 hours to prepare for the return clash at the Falkirk Stadium - with the prize a shot at either Inverness or Hamilton for a place in the top flight.

Houston reckons his side have shown they have the necessary bottle and now plans to put United's nerve to the test.

He said: "We showed great character tonight in coming from behind twice.

"What I wanted was to get in front to see if they have got the character we have got. Our plan now is to try and score the first goal and see if they can handle what we have had to handle twice tonight.

"It comes down to character. I've said a few times we have been inconsistent this season, but over the last seven or eight games we've showed the character we showed last season.

"It's hard to play again in 72 hours but maybe finishing second and having the extra week off is a benefit to us. If we go in front, mentally will they tire? We hope. We don't know."

Simon Murray slammed United ahead after 16 minutes but the Tangerines allowed James Craigen to level just before the half-hour mark as he hooked home acrobatically.

The Bairns appeared to be on top but needed Joe McKee's stunning free-kick on the hour mark to cancel out another goal for the home side, struck by Blair Spittal eight minutes after the break.

But United boss Ray McKinnon has no concerns over his side's mental strength.

"I thought we gave everything to win the game tonight and never left anything on the park," he said. "I'm very pleased with them, although we are disappointed with the two goals because they were both mistakes from us.

"But the attitude and desire was different class.

"It's just half-time in the tie, the lads are disappointed but I've told them they have 90 minutes and the whole season comes down to it now.

"We are motivated, the game is well and truly on on Friday.

"We will go down there and try to win it, we can't wait for it to come around now.

"It does come down to character but we have that, we took the lead twice and bounced back from losing goals.

"We nearly scored right at the end to win it - that's character."

• superscoreboard