Dundee United crashed to their fifth consecutive Bank of Scotland Premier League defeat against Falkirk at Tannadice.

First-half goals from Alan Gow and Daniel McBreen were enough to ensure the Bairns' SPL status next season.

But Falkirk were reduced to 10 men late on when midfielder Patrick Cregg was dismissed.

Falkirk had started well and passed up a couple of early opportunities to take the lead.

Gow crossed from the right after two minutes to find Jack Ross at the far post, but the defender could not direct his effort on target.

Two minutes later, McBreen found himself clear on goal, with the United defence playing offside, but the striker's weak, looping header never threatened United keeper Craig Samson.

The visitors then took the lead after a blunder by United defender Paul Ritchie in the 14th minute.

The ex-Rangers man, who has been told he can leave the club by boss Craig Brewster, failed to clear a through ball by Kenny Milne, allowing Gow to net from close range.

The visitors could easily have added to their lead in the 25th minute when O'Donnell's corner from the right was met by Milne, but the midfielder headed over from a few yards out.

Hughes' side were in total control and went close again in the 33rd minute.

Good work from Gow and Lima on the right saw the latter's cross fall just behind the advancing McBreen with the striker unmarked in front of goal.

Then, in the 39th minute, Falkirk got the second goal their pressure deserved when Gow's ball in from the right was missed by everyone and McBreen finished from close range.

Bairns keeper Mark Howard was finally called into action two minutes from the break when Charlie Mulgrew's corner from the right bounced in front of him, but he did well to scoop the ball over.

Brewster made two changes at the break with Ritchie replaced by Garry Kenneth, while Jim McIntyre came on for David Robertson.

The hosts made a more spirited start to the half, but never threatened Howard's goal.

They might have fallen behind in the 61st minute when Samson did well to punch away a dangerous corner from Lima.

Two minutes later, the Bairns passed up another glaring opportunity, when Gow sent in a brilliant cross from the left, but McBreen's header went narrowly wide.

United had a rare opportunity in front of goal in the 74th minute when Mulgrew's free-kick from the right edge of the box whistled narrowly wide.

Three minutes later, the winger's free-kick from deep in the Bairns' half forced Howard off his line to punch clear.

Tempers spilled over in the 78th minute when O'Donnell clashed with United substitute Goodwillie.

Midfielder Cregg then appeared to kick out at Goodwillie, sparking a mass brawl involving players on both sides in the Falkirk half. O'Donnell was booked, but Cregg was dismissed.

Bairns' sub Neil Scally almost added a third when he hit the bar from the edge of the box late on.

Teams:

Dundee Utd Samson, McCracken, Ritchie (Kenneth 45), Archibald,Mulgrew, Duff, Kerr, Robertson (McIntyre 45),Gardiner (Goodwillie 74), Samuel, Abbot.

Subs Not Used: McLean, McInnes, Cameron, Easton.

Falkirk Howard, Ross, Rodrigues, Dodds, Milne, Lima, Cregg,O'Donnell (Scally 85), Scobie, Gow (Craig 83),McBreen (Moutinho 87).

Subs Not Used: Ferguson, Lawrie, McPherson, Churchill.

Sent Off: Cregg (81).

Booked: O'Donnell, Lima.

Goals: Gow 14, McBreen 39.

Att: 5,798

Ref: C MacKay (Scotland).