Falkirk ended Dundee United's six-game winning run after Roy O'Donavan see's red.

We will be happier to leave the Falkirk Stadium with a point after they secured a draw despite the sending off of forward Roy O'Donovan in the 57th minute.

The Irishman received his marching orders for violent conduct after a challenge on Gerard Aafjes at the corner flag. However Roy did go for the ball and connected with the ball, but the referee decided to give him a red card.

In a match lacking clear-cut chances, the Bairns had the better of the openings but they were unable to capitalise on the man advantage against their fellow Co-Operative Insurance Cup semi-finalists.

United made just one change from the side that saw off Dunfermline in the cup in midweek, striker Warren Feeney coming in for Francisco Sandaza.

Falkirk, meanwhile, made two alterations after their quarter-final victory over Inverness.

Strike duo Graham Barrett and Michael Higdon were both relegated to the bench, with midfielder Patrick Cregg drafted in and forward Steve Lovell restored after suspension.

It was a cagey opening from both teams, with Falkirk deploying only Lovell up front, in contrast to their typical three-pronged attack.

An early slip from Dean Holden at left-back appeared to have handed United an opening, but they were unable to capitalise as the Bairns regrouped.

United were playing a high defensive line, strangling Falkirk of their usual space and thwarting their passing game. Almost 20 minutes of a low-key contest had elapsed without either side carving out a chance or even having an attempt.

Darren Barr was at least forced to clear from inside his six-yard box as Feeney lurked, but United's first corner came to nothing. Feeney then wildly blasted wide to finally register an effort.

Falkirk, however, suddenly sprang to life midway through the half and came close to ending the stalemate.

First, Cregg burst forward into the penalty area, exchanged passes with Lovell and was set to shoot before Sean Dillon made a superb covering block.

Seconds later, Kevin McBride struck a 22-yard drive Lukasz Zaluska found too hot to handle, but the Pole was grateful to Aafjes for knocking the rebound into his arms with the goal gaping.

As the match at last livened up, Neil McCann then glanced a header wide from Cregg's cross before Morgaro Gomis drove straight at Scott Flinders at the other end.

Flinders was called into action again on the half-hour mark, the former England Under-20 international saving at his near post from O'Donovan after the Irishman fortunately got the break of the ball.

Four minutes from the break, Burton O'Brien had the home fans on their feet as his curling shot looked destined to arc into the top right-hand corner - but it flashed just past.

Aafjes then brilliantly cleared a loose ball almost from his goalline as Feeney seemed set to net.

Gomis was the first player to be cautioned after 51 minutes, before Arfield saw a left-footed effort pushed away by Zaluska after a misplaced Cregg pass broke into his path.

The United number one made an even better save soon after as he stopped Jackie McNamara's searing shot and thanked Darren Dods for clearing up for a corner. From the set piece, Holden flashed his header over.

Falkirk were in the ascendancy and their cause was dramatically helped on 57 minutes when the visitors were reduced to 10 men.

O'Donovan slid in to make a hard challenge on Aafjes at the corner flag and referee Iain Brines had no hesitation in brandishing the red card.

John Hughes' charges struggled for openings despite their man advantage, with McBride only driving weakly into Zaluska's arms.

Craig Conway then passed up a glorious United opportunity in the 75th minute, brilliantly creating space near the byline and cutting inside but only finding the sidenetting from a tight angle.

Falkirk pressed for the winner but United - who have now conceded only once in seven games - comfortably claimed a draw.