John Hughes saw his Falkirk side draw a blank for the second weekend in a row as the home side missed a big chance to tighten their grip on sixth place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League following a 0-0 draw at home Kilmarnock.

The Bairns boss was satisfied with last week's goalless draw at Hearts, but this result against Killie leaves them clinging to the final top-six place as the split approaches.

Hearts and Aberdeen - who Falkirk must face at Pittodrie on Monday week - are now just one point behind Hughes' men.

The best chance of the game fell early on to striker Carl Finnigan, but Alan Combe saved from the former Newcastle reserve's close-range shot.

Kilmarnock had opportunities as they looked to follow up last week's 4-1 win over Inverness with another three points, but the lack of quality in the game meant stalemate was a fair outcome.

Playmaker Russell Latapy had to be content with a seat on the Falkirk bench, where there was also room for fit-again striker Michael Higdon.

Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies also made no changes to his XI, although Willie Gibson returned to the squad after injury as a substitute.

The first 10 minutes was subdued but then came the chance for Finnigan.

Gerard Aafjes burst forward, and after seeing his shot blocked the ball came back in his direction.

Rather than shoot again, Aafjes fed Finnigan but his effort was brilliantly saved by Alan Combe.

Combe was called into action again from the corner from Kevin McBride which followed, and denied Darren Barr as Kilmarnock rode their luck.

The Bairns needed to be positive in their penultimate game before the split but their approach play was disappointing.

Killie's Danny Invincibile saw a shot blocked by Barr in the 20th minute, and team-mate James Fowler's ambitious effort from outside the penalty area was saved by Robert Olejnik as the visitors offered their first threat.

Finnigan's strike partner Graham Barrett was the next to threaten an opening goal but his header was held by Combe.

Scott Arfield, who was on Scotland Under-21 duty in midweek, fired over the Killie bar as Falkirk continued to push for a goal.

Kilmarnock midfielder Iain Flannigan shot wide as the visitors reminded the hosts of their desire to finish the season well.

Garry Hay went into the book in the 39th minute for fouling Flannigan and Thomas Scobbie's subsequent free-kick caused trouble for the Killie defence who just about averted the danger.

Barr headed wide from McBride's right-side corner soon afterwards, and Arfield became the first Falkirk player to be booked, following a foul challenge on David Fernandez.

A third yellow card in six minutes came just before the break, when Killie's Mehdi Taouil was punished for catching Barr.

Hughes brought on Pedro Moutinho at half-time, in place of Kenny Milne, in an attempt to give his Falkirk side more punch up front.

The Portuguese forward had a shot saved by Combe soon after his introduction.

Kilmarnock's former Clyde attacker Craig Bryson scored twice last weekend and threatened to get on the scoresheet again shortly before the hour mark but missed the target. Arfield also drew a save from Combe at the other end.

Moutinho saw another shot blocked before it reached Combe, and the anticipated flurry of substitution arrived just after the 70-minute mark, shortly after Finnigan saw Combe keep his header out.

The home side brought Latapy on in place of Scobbie, and Arnau Riera replaced Patrick Cregg, while Killie withdrew Fernandez and introduced Gary Wales.

Bryson struck another shot off target before David Lilley headed over Olejnik's crossbar.

Falkirk had grabbed a late winner at Inverness a fortnight ago but the hero that day, Billy Clarke, remained on the bench on this occasion with Hughes having used up his allocation of substitutes.

Killie brought on veteran midfielder Allan Johnston for the closing five minutes, in place of Taouil, but the former Hearts and Sunderland winger could not influence the outcome.

Teams:

Falkirk Olejnik, Aafjes, Scobbie (Latapy 75),Milne (Moutinho 46), Barr, Ross, Cregg (Riera 75), Arfield,McBride, Barrett, Finnigan.

Subs Not Used: Supple, Clarke, Higdon, Bradley.

Booked: Arfield.

Kilmarnock Combe, Clancy, Hay, Lilley, Frazer Wright, Fowler,Invincibile, Fernandez (Wales 74), Bryson, Flannigan,Taouil (Johnston 87).

Subs Not Used: Rascle, Locke, Gibson, O'Leary, Hamill.

Booked: Hay, Taouil.

Att: 5,134

Ref: W Collum (Scotland).