Falkirk saw off Division One outfit Dunfermline, 2-0, in the Homecoming Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park. Two second half goals from youngsters Thomas Scobbie and Scott Arfield fired SPL bottom club Falkirk into the final meaning they qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.

Boss John Hughes hopes this victory will act as a boost for the remainder of the season as they fight to retain their SPL status.

"Hopefully this will give us the springboard," Hughes told BBC Scotland.

"It provides real motivation to be fighting for a place in the starting 11 come cup final day.

"As for the supporters here, that was real Falkirk supporters who were right behind the team."

Falkirk's joy was tempered by the news that Arnau Riera will miss the final after being booked for diving.

Asked whether he thought the midfielder took a dive, Hughes admitted: "Possibly he did.

"It's very disappointing. He's a foreigner and he's a a real hard worker and I don't think he understands to tell you the truth.

"I don't think he knows the script with the two bookings."

Fans group the Bairns' Trust wrote to chairman Campbell Christie recently demanding Hughes be sacked.

"It's a minority," assistant boss Brian Rice told BBC Scotland.

"The big man is different class, he wears his heart on his sleeve and he is Falkirk 24/7.

"We both are and I think everybody knows that. Over the last six years, we have worked our tails off.

"We just want to achieve things with Falkirk. For people to slate John Hughes after what he has done for Falkirk is incredible."

"We want to stay up first and foremost," he added.

"But we are in a final and we don't want to just make the numbers up."