Ryan Flynn's debut strike gave Falkirk their first win in European competition and a narrow lead heading into the second leg of their Europa League clash against Liechtenstein team FC Vaduz.

The Bairns were on the backfoot for most of the match but the only strike of the match came courtesy of 20-year-old Flynn just five minutes into the second half.

On loan from Liverpool for a season, Flynn saw his low shot deflect past visiting keeper Peter Jehle after Vaduz had failed to clear their lines.

In Eddie May's first match in charge, Falkirk made a nervous start and Nick Proschwitz's header which drifted narrowly wide was the closest either team came to breaking the deadlock.

Scott Arfield nearly grabbed a second moments later when his rising shot flew inches over the bar.

But the visitors stepped up their search of an equaliser as the match wore on.

Tam Scobbie was forced to clear off the line from Kai Koitka and substitute Anto Franjic also sent a header just past the post but Falkirk held on heading into the return match at Rheinpark Stadion on Thursday.