Peter Houston praised Falkirk's character but admits his team were "fortunate" to run out 1-0 winners in their Premiership play-off first leg against Kilmarnock.

An injury-time goal from Will Vaulks proved enough to give the Championship side the advantage heading into Sunday's second leg at Rugby Park.

The visitors enjoyed the better chances with Craig Sibbald and goalkeeper Danny Rogers called into action to deny Kris Boyd and Tope Obadeyi.

And Sibbald played a key part in the winner, cutting the ball back for Vaulks to place through the legs of Jamie MacDonald.

Houston said: "I'm happy to get the goal. I think we were fortunate to win though.

"Kilmarnock started better and used the ball better. And although we worked very hard, I thought that guys in our team who are comfortable on the ball didn't use it very well.

"We looked nervous, we looked tentative at times and we caused our own problems by giving the ball away and it gave a bit of impetus to Kilmarnock.

"But the character was still there in abundance because we kept going. We had to call on our goalkeeper a couple of times, Danny makes a magnificent save.

"And Craig Sibbald, who has been a superstar for us in the couple of years since I came in, it wasn't his best night on the ball but he was still brave enough to take it and that's important.

"Luke Leahy takes a quick free-kick, Sibbs still wants it, cutback and Will scores. So I give the players great credit for that."