Novo strike gives Gers double

The diminutive striker heaped more Hampden heartache on the Bairns months after his double sent them crashing out of the Co-operative Cup, as he netted his ninth goal of the season to help Rangers claim the trophy for the 33rd time.

The narrow defeat was a bitter pill for Falkirk to swallow after waiting 12 years for another crack at the silverware they last won back in 1957.

Lee McCulloch had an early opportunity to make an impression for Rangers when he rose above everyone else in the box to connect cleanly with a Steven Davis corner, but his header lacked power and drifted across goal and wide of the upright.

Falkirk then had a decent chance of their own when the ball broke for Burton O'Brien on the edge of the box and he screwed his shot narrowly over the crossbar, although Neil Alexander looked to have it covered.

A Neil McCann shot then drew gasps from the Falkirk crowd as he surged into the box before seeing his effort clip the crossbar on the way over. Davis whipped a teasing ball into the box which was met by the head of David Weir but Steve Lovell came to the rescue by heading off the line on the stroke of half-time.

Rangers swapped Boyd for Novo at the break and the substitution proved to be inspired when the Spaniard opened the scoring just 29 seconds into the second half.

He collected a Sasa Papac throw before unleashing a ferocious 40-yard volley which left Dani Mallo with no chance in the Falkirk goal.

The Bairns could have equalised when Scobbie threw himself in front of a McCann corner only to nod wide of the target from the edge of the six-yard box.

Falkirk thought they had hauled themselves back into the game when substitute Finnigan had the ball in the back of the net within moments of being on the park, but the offside flag was already raised before he unleashed the shot.