Gretna gave themselves a relegation lifeline with their third victory of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League season, 2-0 against Falkirk at Fir Park.

Kenny Deuchar headed the only goal of an open first half and Paul Murray struck a superb second five minutes after the break.

The Black and Whites showed the resilience they will need to have any chance of pulling off an unlikely escape by frustrating Falkirk's comeback attempts.

Gretna began their third round of fixtures 12 points adrift following a lunchtime Edinburgh derby win for Hearts but they moved within three wins of Kilmarnock.

The Black and Whites had only beaten Dundee United, twice, in the SPL but had been encouraged by a spirited narrow defeat by Rangers in midweek.

Abdul Osman and Craig Barr dropped out injured but key defender Chris Innes returned from suspension and Mikael Buscher came into a wide left position.

Falkirk had midfielder Scott Arfield suspended but Patrick Cregg returned from a ban.

Gretna made the early running and Gavin Skelton twice tried his luck from long range. His first effort looped over and the second bounced into Tim Krul's hands.

The home side had a great chance in the 11th minute after Buscher released Deuchar down the left. The striker cut the ball inside for Fabian Yantorno but the Uruguayan blasted over from 15 yards.

Falkirk found their feet and Kevin McBride missed a free header from 10 yards following Pedro Moutinho's cross. Tackles were flying in from both sets of players and Buscher overstepped the mark with a foul on Carl Finnigan that earned him a booking.

McBride turned provider with a cross that Graham Barrett flung himself at, but Tony Caig parried the header at his near post. An entertaining game had begun to turn scrappy just before Deuchar gave Gretna a 33rd-minute lead by heading his second goal in as many games.

Yantorno crossed from the right and Deuchar rose to loop his header just inside the far corner.

Caig kept Gretna ahead with a great save from Finnigan after the striker had brushed off Aurelien Collin and attempted to lift the ball into the net from eight yards. Barrett then headed over after Darren Barr had flicked on a McBride cross.

Gretna came out early to warm up before the second period but had a let-off when the offside flag was raised against Barrett before McBride turned the ball home.

A Deuchar shot sailed over but Murray doubled their lead with a superb 25-yard volley. Falkirk had half-cleared a long ball when the Gretna skipper positioned himself above the bouncing ball to flash a powerful shot into the corner.

Stephen Bradley came on for his Falkirk debut in place of former Arsenal youth team-mate Cregg, but Gretna were in control and looked the more dangerous team going forward.

Bairns boss John Hughes then introduced defender Kenny Milne on the left of a three-man attack in place of Moutinho.

Falkirk pushed Gretna back but could not break them down and Caig was equal to Barrett's 25-yard free-kick when the visitors were handed a shooting chance.

Gretna continued to hold out comfortably but their day was marred in the closing stages when Yantorno was stretchered off after a collision with Krul, who recovered after lengthy treatment.

The incident led to seven minutes of injury time but Falkirk struggled to get out their own half as Gretna secured a deserved win.

Teams:

Gretna Caig, Innes, Collin, Hall, Naughton, Jenkins, Murray,Skelton, Buscher, Deuchar, Yantorno (Makinwa 87).

Subs Not Used: Fleming, McGill, Canning, Baldacchino,

Deverdics, Robinson.

Booked: Buscher.

Goals: Deuchar 33, Murray 50.

Falkirk Krul, Ross, Barr, Holden (Latapy 69), Scobbie,Moutinho (Milne 63), Cregg (Bradley 55), Riera, McBride,Barrett, Finnigan.

Subs Not Used: Olejnik, Aafjes, Mitchell, Stewert.

Att: 1,609

Ref: C Allan (Scotland).