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Scott Arfield has made a tremendous impact since his return to Falkirk Scottish Championship: Ayr United v Falkirk Where: Somerset Park, Ayr When: Friday, 11 April Kick-off: 19: 45 BST Coverage: Live on BBC Scotland and BBC Sport website & app Falkirk will take a huge step towards clinching the Scottish Championship title if they can win away at Ayr United on Friday in front of the BBC Scotland cameras. Victory for John Mc Glynn's side would open up an 11-point lead on nearest challengers Livingston, who would need victory away to Greenock Morton on Saturday to keep the contest going. However, Falkirk have lost both of their visits to Somerset Park this season and the hosts have their own pressing agenda since finishing second means one less round of matches in the arduous promotion play-off phase. A 1-0 defeat away to Raith Rovers last weekend means Ayr trail Livingston by three points on the final stretch. There was only one goal in it when Ayr beat Falkirk in the League Cup back in July, but the Honest Men took full advantage of an early red card for Ross Graham to smash in five in the previous Championship meeting on their own patch. That was one of of only five second-tier defeats for last season's League One invincibles - Livingston dished out three others. The second of those losses to Livi reduced the gap at the top to a single point at the turn of the year, then Mc Glynn played a trump card with the signing of Scott Arfield after the 36-year-old left Bolton Wanderers. The former Rangers, Burnley and Canada midfielder, who started his career at Falkirk before leaving in 2010, took just 46 seconds to score on his way to a hat-trick on his debut against Partick Thistle. Arfield has not looked back and his tally stands at eight goals in nine appearances to join Brad Spencer and Calvin Miller as Falkirk's top scorers in the league. The other two have played 21 games more. Of course, Ayr made a high-profile signing of their own halfway through last term, with Scott Brown arriving as head coach when their Championship status was under threat. The former Celtic captain has built impressively on that rescue mission. In early March, United were three points behind Falkirk, but they have won just once in five outings since. With their play-off place already secure, this showdown under the Friday night lights and the next - away to Livingston - will go a long way to determining where Ayr start in their bid for promotion. Falkirk might not get the deal done this weekend, but the champagne is cooling for a second successive title party to end a 15-year long wait to return to the top flight. Premier League team news and build-up - latest Salah signs new two-year deal with Liverpool Rose leads Masters as Mc Ilroy hurt by late errors Stacey Dooley explores Britain’s shoplifting epidemic Exposing the truth, and bringing a serial killer to justice Classic moments from Kenny Everett's BBC shows A retired MI6 agent must track down a Soviet mole What can happen & when in final weeks of Scottish season? League reconstruction - why, when & what might it look like? Scotland men's internationals to be shown live on BBC Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs 'Perfect marriage goes on - Liverpool and Salah need each other' Mc Ilroy's daughter makes heart-warming putt at Masters Par 3 Contest. Video Mc Ilroy's daughter makes heart-warming putt at Masters Par 3 Contest Rice scores two stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid. Video Rice scores two stunning free-kicks against Real Madrid PSG come from behind to claim impressive win over Villa. Video PSG come from behind to claim impressive win over Villa A straight duel at the Masters? Or will another champion emerge? The rise and poignant fall of Wrexham Deadpool hero Mullin How does Onana compare to other Man Utd keepers after Matic criticism? Barca thrash Dortmund to take control of quarter-final. Video Barca thrash Dortmund to take control of quarter-final Masters - dates, tee times, favourites & how to follow on the BBC 'He's the chosen one! ' - the rise of Lamine Yamal. Video'He's the chosen one! ' - the rise of Lamine Yamal Is Tsunoda an improvement on Lawson? F1 Q&A The last time I confess my real feelings - Humphries 'I'd love team built around him' - who should Man City keep, or sell? 'We would love to see more spectators' - was Grand Slam Track a success? 'Blessed' - From tennis prodigy to basketball star Ovechkin beats legend Gretzky's NHL goal record 'We must avoid that record' - how it all went wrong for relegated Saints Should female footballers play on different pitches? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.