Rangers target Alan Gow's last-minute goal delivered victory for Falkirk in their Bank of Scotland Premier League clash at home to Dunfermline.

Torrential weather conditions dogged the match as driving wind and rain made it almost impossible to play measured football.

The result leaves the Pars nine points adrift of St Mirren at the foot of the SPL table and they look doomed to relegation.

Falkirk boss John Hughes gave a debut to on-loan Manchester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, the son of Manchester United and Denmark legend Peter, as Jeroen Lambers dropped to the bench.

Suspended duo Jim Hamilton and Phil McGuire both dropped out of the Pars side that beat Rangers last week with Greg Shields and new signing from Shelbourne Bobby Ryan both coming in.

The players struggled to cope with the atrocious weather conditions in the early stages of the match, with the ball proving difficult to control.

The Pars went close when a free-kick from the left by Owen Morrison was met with a glancing header by Shields which drifted wide.

On-loan Celtic player James O'Brien found space in the box in the sixth minute for the visitors but skewed a left-footed shot wide.

The Bairns went close after 20 minutes when Russell Latapy's free-kick broke to Kenny Milne whose goal-bound shot was blocked by the head of team-mate Gow and then cleared to safety.

The hosts went close again just a minute later after good work from Gow and Vitor Lima on the left saw the latter cut inside, but his left-footed effort was headed behind for a corner.

Falkirk came close again when Latapy threaded a ball into the box for Gow who flicked it into the path of Liam Craig.

From the just a few yards wide, the midfielder stabbed the ball wide.

Schmeichel was finally called into action on the stroke of half-time as he spread himself brilliantly to deny former Scotland striker Stevie Crawford who had been sent clear.

A long ball forward from Darren Barr in the 50th minute sent Craig clear on goal, but the strong wind blew the ball away from the player and Pars goalkeeper Roddy McKenzie cleared.

Three minutes later good work from Patrick Cregg and Latapy on the right created another chance.

A snap shot from Trinidad and Tobago star Latapy from inside the box was well held by McKenzie.

The hosts went close again when a Gow free-kick from the right after 63 minutes almost found Craig at the far post, but the midfielder was unable to connect from a few yards out.

An opener looked inevitable when Cregg sent Gow clear on the right of the box in 67 minutes, but the striker overhit a square ball for Lima who was free in front of goal.

The visitors were still a threat on the break and went close in 77 minutes when O'Brien knocked a ball into the path of Stephen Simmons but the midfielder sliced a right foot effort wide.

Craig threatened for the hosts three minutes later as he beat two men on the left and cut inside but lashed a right-footed effort well wide.

The winner came when Craig sent Gow clear on the left side of the box in the 90th minute and the striker's shot slipped under the body of McKenzie.

Falkirk will be hoping it is not a farewell goal, as Rangers continue in their efforts to land the in-form Bairns favourite.

Falkirk Schmeichel, Barr, Uras, Milne, Dodd, Ross, Cregg,Lima, Craig, Latapy, Gow.

Subs Not Used: Lambers, Thomson, Scobbie, Holden, John Stewart,

Mcstay, McManus.

Goals: Gow 90.

Dunfermline McKenzie, Ross (Williamson 90), Shields,Wilson (McCunnie 42), Scott Morrison, O'Brien, Young, Simmons,Owen Morrison (Daquin 49), Ryan, Crawford.

Subs Not Used: De Vries, Woods, Bamba, Phinn.

Booked: Scott Morrison, Young, Simmons, Crawford.

Att: 6,051

Ref: E Smith (Scotland).