Falkirk are emerging as the main threat to Hibernian as the Championship goes into the final quarter.

The 4-1 win at Ayr United may have looked inflated given that Craig Sibbald and Fraser Aird both scored in injury-time but manager Peter Houston did not see it that way.

Nathan Austin had already scored twice but Ayr had hope of salvaging something after Gary Harkins pulled a goal back before Falkirk's late rally.

Falkirk are six points behind leaders Hibs but have played a game more and also played two more than the teams immediately below them, Morton and Dundee United.

But they have taken 21 points in their last nine matches and will always pose a threat in front of goal (you have to go back to October for the last time they failed to score in the league).

It is all rather satisfying for Houston and he was happy with the performance at Somerset Park.

"All over the pitch, I felt we were good," he underlined.

"The only time we let ourselves down was when we scored the second goal.

"Yet again we lost a goal too quickly for my liking and I don't know how to put my finger on it.

"But we're delighted with the way it ended up. I think the final scoreline was a fair reflection on how the match went.

"Danny [Rogers] has not had a lot to do, we created a few chances and Nathan was one-on-one for a hat-trick.

"He'll need to learn that he'll need to at least get a shot off because he'll score and go home with the match ball.

"But winning 4-1 at Ayr United - you have to be happy."

Dumbarton bounced back from the ugly 5-1 defeat at Dunfermline to beat Raith Rovers 4-0 at home and improve their chances of beating the drop.

Robert Thomson scored twice - his first being the 500th goal for Dumbarton since they moved to the stadium - and Sam Stanton and substitute Garry Fleming also netted.

Goalkeeper Alan Martin also played his part with a notable double save at 1-0 and knows the team have it in their own hands to stay in the division.

"Last week [against Dunfermline] was very out of character for us and we've had a couple of blips this year but we've done well to get up the table and away from the relegation zone," he said.

"We still have Ayr United away and St Mirren away and these will be pivotal games for us.

"The further we can get away from them the better but if you don't beat the teams below you, then you're going to keep getting dragged into it."