Aberdeen youngster Peter Pawlett hit the crossbar as Falkirk survived some late pressure to claim their first Clydesdale Bank Premier League point of the season.

Jamie Langfield's superb second-half save from a Kjartan Finnbogason header ensured Aberdeen's third successive clean sheet.

Pawlett curled against the crossbar from 20 yards as the visitors burst into life in the closing stages, but they could not find a way through.

Falkirk announced just before kick-off that on-loan Liverpool winger Ryan Flynn had agreed a three-year contract and they soon came close to more good news when Scott Arfield's 20-yard shot deflected just wide off Jerel Ifil's block.

Bairns stopper Robert Olejnik then earned his wages with a double save after a Mulgrew corner, blocking Lee Miller's near-post header and quickly recovering to stop Andrew Considine netting the rebound.

Aberdeen almost profited from the same source again but Finnigan nodded Miller's header off the line. The hosts produced the best move of an even first half when Arfield released Finnigan down the right and his cross was volleyed first time by Kjartan Finnbogason, the powerful strike flying just past.

Arfield and Olejnik were booked after a bizarre pushing match in the final minute of the half. The Falkirk keeper ran out of his area to remonstrate with his midfielder after Mulgrew was allowed room to put in a dangerous cross following a short free-kick, forcing referee Alan Muir and their team-mates to step in.

Aluko replaced Paton nine minutes into the half as Aberdeen switched to a 4-4-2 but it was Falkirk who took the initiative and Langfield made a stunning one-handed save on the hour mark.

Flynn turned Richard Foster and sent in a perfect cross for Finnbogason six yards out but Langfield somehow stopped his header and grabbed the ball as the Icelandic striker tried to force it home.

The visitors came closest to victory with seven minutes left when Aluko broke well down the left and cut the ball inside for substitute Pawlett, who curled the ball off the underside of the bar from 20 yards.