Aberdeen rode their luck to close to within four points of second-placed Rangers as they meted out a fifth consecutive Bank of Scotland Premier League defeat to Falkirk.

Goals from Gary Dempsey, who fired home in the 16th minute, and Richard Foster, who added a second just after the hour mark, gave the Dons a commanding lead, even if Falkirk had most of the chances.

The home side gained some reward when Dean Holden hit his first goal for the club, but an equaliser was beyond them, and the Bairns have now lost seven matches in a row across all competitions.

Aberdeen were boosted by the presence of Jamie Smith, Zander Diamond and Craig Brewster on the bench after long-term injuries.

Falkirk were without suspended midfielder Patrick Cregg against Aberdeen as they looked to halt a run of six straight defeats.

Defender Tam Scobbie was also banned following his red card against Rangers a fortnight ago.

Falkirk threatened early on, with striker Carl Finnigan coming close with one early effort.

Scott Severin then threatened for Aberdeen with a free-kick which went over the bar, while Falkirk's Russell Latapy fired another reminder of his ever-present threat with a right-footed shot, although it lacked the menace to find the net.

Falkirk certainly were playing with the confidence of a team who believe they can regain a top-six place before the league splits.

Stephen O'Donnell cleared the bar with another shot.

But cruelly it was Aberdeen who took the lead against the flow of the match after 16 minutes, with Dempsey firing home from Barry Nicholson's inswinging corner.

Falkirk tried to hit back immediately, but Cedric Uras sent his shot wide from 20 yards.

Rangers-bound Alan Gow, partnering Finnigan in the Falkirk attack, had another strike on goal for the home side, who were not knocked out of their stride by the Dons going ahead.

Gow's effort was held by Jamie Langfield, who was then grateful when Finnigan missed from close range.

Michael Hart fouled Falkirk's Pedro Moutinho just outside the Aberdeen penalty area to present the home side with another opportunity.

Uras was given responsibility for the set-piece and despite his shot hitting the target, Langfield managed to parry the ball away.

Gow hit the wall from another free-kick and Latapy was another to be thwarted by Langfield, but Falkirk could not find an equaliser before the break.

Despite getting the goal which separated the two sides, Dempsey was substituted at half-time with Jamie Smith taking his place.

Moutinho rifled a shot over the bar as Falkirk began the second half as they had ended the first, coming close but not close enough.

Aberdeen defender Russell Anderson carried on after an injury scare. He was fouled by Moutinho, who avoided a card, and continued after receiving treatment.

Anderson was quickly back into the action, getting in the way of another Moutinho shot at goal.

Falkirk continued to rain in shots, but Aberdeen - in their first serious attack of the second half - punished the home side for failing to take their chances.

The Dons finally got behind the Falkirk defence and Darren Mackie's cross was converted by Foster as the game's second goal arrived in the 61st minute.

Falkirk were back within touching distance soon afterwards, however, when former Peterborough defender Holden made the most of a pass from Uras.

Holden completed the job with a composed finish past Langfield who was finally beaten.

The eager Finnigan, who scored his first goal for Falkirk at Ibrox last month, was then caught offside by the Aberdeen defence.

With Brewster on in place of Steve Lovell, Aberdeen had the 40-year-old leading their line.

Moutinho, a relative youngster at just 27, was continuing to pester the Dons defence and again threatened from close range in the 71st minute, albeit without forcing Langfield to make a save.

Brewster and Mackie then combined to carve out a rare chance for the visitors.

Mackie was set clear on goal by his new strike partner but Kasper Schmeichel smothered the danger well.

Jamie Smith and Finnigan traded hopeful shots before Falkirk's O'Donnell was booked in the 81st minute for a foul on Mackie.

It was a 10th booking of the season for the midfielder, who also has a red card to his name this term.

Dayne Robertson replaced Latapy in the closing stages, the 18-year-old striker making his debut as boss John Hughes looked to add to Falkirk's fire-power.

The teams played five minutes of injury time, and Falkirk claimed for a late penalty, however Aberdeen held on to heap pressure on second-placed Rangers, who face Hibernian on Sunday.

Teams

Falkirk Schmeichel, Ross, Holden, Uras, Milne, Thomson,Latapy (Roberston 87), Gow, O'Donnell, Moutinho, Finnigan.

Subs Not Used: Lambers, Lima, Arfield, Allison, Craig, Twaddle.

Booked: Schmeichel, O'Donnell.

Goals: Holden 66.

Aberdeen Langfield, Hart, Anderson, Considine (Diamond 77),Foster, Dempsey (Jamie Smith 46), Nicholson, Severin, Clark,Mackie, Lovell (Brewster 67).

Subs Not Used: Soutar, Touzani, Miller, Daniel Smith.

Booked: Clark, Nicholson, Brewster.

Goals: Dempsey 16, Foster 61.

Att: 5,825

Ref: I Brines (Scotland).