Hibernian were left to rue a third own goal of the season from defender Shelton Martis and Liam Craig's strike before the break as their second-half comeback fell just short against Falkirk.

Steven Fletcher gave the Easter Road men some hope in a second-half totally dominated by the visitors but it was a second defeat in a row for new manager John Collins.

Two early goals in the space of nine first-half minutes gave Falkirk their 2-0 lead at the interval but the Edinburgh side could argue they deserved at least a point out of a frenetic encounter.

Given the last match between these sides finished with four red cards being dished out by referee Alan Freeland, the last thing official Charlie Richmond would have wanted would have been Scott Brown being fouled by Patrick Cregg within two seconds of the kick-off.

Only two minutes later Richmond was at the centre of a moment of controversy as Falkirk survived loud appeals from the Easter Road side for a penalty as Brown went down under a challenge from Darren Barr.

Hibs skipper Kevin Thomson and Abdessalam Benjelloun fizzed long-range shots close as the Easter Road side enjoyed a bright opening, although they too had suffered a scare when Anthony Stokes went down in the box.

With only 13 minutes on the clock, Falkirk then made an early breakthrough as Martis scored his third own goal of the season and his second in only three weeks.

Liam Craig swept past Steven Whittaker on the left side of the area and fired a low cross into the six-yard box where Martis' mistimed clearance ricocheted past helpless keeper Zibi Malkowski.

Benjelloun hit the bar with a ferocious strike after Brown's cutback had set him up at the climax of a flowing move before Hibs gifted the Bairns a second in the 22nd minute.

Merouane Zemmama was caught in possession by Craig and he drove a superb 25-yard shot low past Malkowski.

Hibs responded by carving out an opportunity which should have seen them pull a goal back in the 26th minute.

Zemmama's threaded pass released Steven Fletcher in a one-on-one with Falkirk keeper Scott Higgins but the youngster hit his effort straight at the Australian and bundled the rebound well wide.

Hibs defender Rob Jones could not direct his header on target from 12 yards out as the visitors again threatened to get themselves back into the match before they suffered a blow as skipper Kevin Thomson limped off after a late tackle by Kenny Milne.

Martis had the opportunity to make amends for his first-half own goal when Zemmama's corner found him unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box but the Dutchman sent his header wide.

Higgins saved bravely at the feet of Benjelloun in the 53rd minute as Hibs continued to dominate but they were not to be denied three minutes later as they roared back into the match with a goal from Steven Fletcher.

A magnificent move started with Steven Whittaker's intelligent ball to Scott Brown and Guillaume Beuzelin and Zemmama were all involved to set up Benjelloun on the left of the box.

The youngster's low cross was perfect for Fletcher and he hammered the ball high into the net from eight yards out.

Four minutes later Hibs looked to have good appeals for a penalty turned aside as Whittaker was floored by Milne's tackle just inside the area but referee Charlie Richmond waved play on.

Zemmama then wasted an excellent chance to equalise when he sent his 20-yard free-kick high and wide from almost right on the 18-yard line as the visitors piled the pressure on.

But try as they might the Easter Road men could not find an equaliser and it was Falkirk who finished looking the more likely with Gow hitting the post and Stokes firing a chance just wide.

Teams:

Falkirk Higgins, Ross, Milne, Barr, Dodd (Scobbie 32),Latapy (O'Donnell 83), Cregg, Lima, Gow,Stokes (John Stewart 87), Craig.

Subs Not Used: Barclay, Uras, Mcstay, McManus.

Booked: Lima, Cregg.

Goals: Martis 14 og, Craig 21.

Hibernian Malkowski, Whittaker, Murphy, Martis, Jones,Thomson (Beuzelin 39), Benjelloun, Scott Brown (Shiels 80),Stewart, Fletcher, Zemmama.

Subs Not Used: McNeil, Killen, Glass, Hogg, McCluskey.

Booked: Stewart, Fletcher, Jones, Scott Brown.

Goals: Fletcher 56.

Att: 6,142

Ref: C Richmond (Scotland).