Craig Samson says St Mirren are thriving on the pressure to stay at the top of Ladbrokes Championship. 

Saturday's 0-0 draw with Falkirk saw the Buddies remain top of the pile - two points clear of second place Dunfermline. 

Both sides created chances in a hard-fought contest, but neither could make the breakthrough as they settled for a point.

But despite the Bairns' struggles this season, Samson says the point picked up was a good one as he reckons many other sides will go to Falkirk this season and struggle.

The goalkeeper also praised the efforts of his teammates in securing another decent result on their travels. 

I don't think it'll be just a tough place for St Mirren to come, I think there will be a lot of teams who come here and lose," he told stmirren.com.

"They've had a hard start to the season, but they've changed their manager and put a lot of pressure on us in the second half.

"The boys stood up to the test very well, defended very well and I think over the piece we created the better chances in the match. 

"You can look at different games where it may be a bad point because you feel as if you should have run away with it, but today wasn't that. It was a good performance from the boys and on another day we might have won the match. But we'll take the clean sheet and get down the road staying top of the league.

"All we want to do is keep ticking off the games and stay where we are. We don't want to come off that position in the league. There's a pressure for us to win games now. For some teams there is a pressure not to lose but for us we have to win and keep going. It's a good pressure to have and something we are thriving on.

"It's the best type of pressure," he continued. "The last couple of clubs I have been at we have probably struggled at times and it's been that pressure not to lose a game.

"But here we are in it to go and win matches. That's they way you want it to be. We want to be the one that teams are chasing and if we win games they can't catch us."

Saints attention now turns to Saturday's derby clash with Morton as the Greenock side make the journey to Paisley. 

While Samson admits there is an element of wanting to rectify the disappointing derby loss suffered at Cappielow in August, he believes the team's focus is on picking up a good result to remain on top. 

It's a massive game for the fans and as a group it's another game we want to come away with a positive result and stay top of the league.

"We have to look at things in the long run rather than just looking at the derby matches. Of course the last one was very disappointing for us and we want to put it right, but it's all about ticking games off, winning football matches and staying where we are in the league." 

The specially commissioned player's shirts to celebrate the clubs 140th Anniversary are now available to sponsor.

This is a fantastic opportunity for you or your company to show your support of your favourite player and own a unique shirt.

• Acknowledgement of your sponsorship next to your chosen player in the Match Day Magazine.
• Acknowledgement of your sponsorship next to your chosen player on the Official Club Website.
• Acknowledgement of your sponsorship next to your chosen player when team lines displayed on the Jumbo Screen.

New for Season 2017-18
At the end of the season, you will be invited to the sponsors’ evening where you’ll be able mix and mingle with first team and fellow sponsors.

Sponsors and a guest will enjoy a finger buffet and refreshments followed by a presentation by your sponsored players match worn shirt.

Cost: 140th Anniversary shirt sponsorship is £200 + VAT

For more information or to sponsor a player please contact Campbell Kennedy on 0141-840-1337 or email commercial@stmirren.com 

Pictures from Saturday's 0-0 draw with Falkirk in the Ladbrokes Championship. 

The Buddies remain top of the league ahead of next weekend's derby with a hard fought draw against Paul Hartley's side. 

Kyle Magennis made his first St Mirren start since the 1-1 draw with Hibernian at Easter Road on the last day of last season. 

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

Saints manager Jack Ross gives his thoughts on this afternoon's 0-0 draw with Falkirk.

Both sides had chances throughout the 90 minutes but neither could make the breakthrough. 

A point keeps St Mirren on top of the Ladbrokes Championship ahead of next weekend's Renfrewshire derby. 

St Mirren earned a hard-fought point away to Falkirk this afternoon as they drew 0-0 with the Bairns at The Falkirk Stadium.

Both sides had chances throughout the 90 minutes to get themselves a goal, but neither could make a breakthrough as they shared a point. 

The point keeps the Buddies top of the Ladbrokes Championship ahead of next weekend's Renfrewshire derby. 

It was Saints who created the first opening on ten minutes when Ian McShane slid the ball through to Cammy Smith inside the box after a neat passage of play from the Buddies. The forward took the ball in well and forced Falkirk goalkeeper Robbie Thomson into a good save from the angle. 

A smart corner routine ten minutes later saw McShane and Smith link up to create the next big chance of the match. McShane played it short to Smith who got beyond his man to the byline before cutting it across the box where he found Gavin Reilly. The striker, who scored his tenth goal of the season last weekend, couldn't get a clean connection on the ball as he clipped it just by the post. 

St Mirren had started well but the hosts gradually began to grow into the game during the first half. Nathan Austin should have given Bairns the lead on 34 minutes when he found himself one-on-one with Craig Samson. He burst into the box but somehow managed to rattle his effort into the side-net.

The striker almost had the chance to redeem himself a few moments later as Myles Hippolyte attempted to slip him in but Samson was quickly off his line to snuff out the danger. 

Austin had another huge opportunity to open the scoring five minutes before the interval. James Craigen played the ball deep to the back post where Austin met it with the header but nodded into the ground with the ball bouncing over the bar. 

Saints would end the half strongly and would have felt unlucky not to have nabbed the lead heading into the break. First, Lewis Morgan swung in a brilliant corner that was begging to be met by a player in the red and white of St Mirren, but no one was forthcoming. And then, two minutes later, the winger was denied from a stunning opener when his powerful effort from the edge of the box was brilliantly pushed wide by Thomson.

Half Time: Falkirk 0-0 St Mirren

Morgan had St Mirren's first chance of the second half when he came on to a lay-off from Gavin Reilly, but curled the ball over from 20 yards. 

Hippolyte, who was booked for pulling Morgan back in the first half, was penalised for a foul on Cammy Smith deep in the Falkirk half. The ball was swung into the box where Gregor Buchanan got on the end of it but flicked his header wide. 

A minute later both sides had good openings to take the lead. Reilly worked himself into a good position but his shot didn't have enough power in it as it was held by Thomson. Immediately from that shot Falkirk broke up the field with Hippolyte going mightily close as he cannoned an effort inches over the bar.

The last two chances to snatch a winner came from Cammy Smith who could count himself unlucky not to have scored with either. He picked the ball up in the centre of the park on 89 minutes and had a go from distance which whistled by the far post. Then, deep into stoppage time, a ball over the top from Adam Eckersley found the 22 year-old inside the box only from Thomson to come off his line quickly and block the shot. 

That was the last opportunity of the game for either side with Saints picking up a point ahead of next weekend's derby clash against Morton at the Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Full Time: Falkirk 0-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Buchanan, Baird, Eckersley, McGinn (MacPherson 79), McShane, Morgan, Magennis (Sutton 51), C.Smith, Reilly (Kirkpatrick 74)
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Stelios, McCart, Stewart

Falkirk: Thomson, McGhee, Muirhead, Balatoni, Grant, Harris (Dunne 59), McKee, Kerr, Craigen (O'Hara 82), Hippolyte, Austin (Miller 79)
Subs Not Used: Mutch, Gasparotto, Shepherd, Gallacher

Referee: Don Robertson
Assistant Referee: Graham Chambers
Assistant Referee: Greg Soutar

Attendance: 5,080

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography

St Mirren are on their travels again this weekend as they make the journey to face Falkirk in the Ladbrokes Championship.

The Buddies ended the first quarter of fixtures with a 2-0 win away to Dumbarton last weekend. Goals from Gavin Reilly, his 10th of the season, and John Sutton saw the Saints win at Dumbarton for the first time since 1996 and pick up three points to meet their target of 21 points from the first nine fixtures.

The first quarter began against tomorrow's opponents Falkirk who Saints faced on the opening day of the 2017/18 league season in August. Nathan Austin gave the visitors an early lead in Paisley before fans favourite Stelios Demetriou levelled before half time. Cammy Smith and Gavin Reilly were on target after the interval to give St Mirren a first opening day win since 2006 and a first triumph over the Bairns since a 3-1 victory in 2009. 

Despite a strong Betfred Cup group stage, defeat to Saints signalled the beginning of a challenging start to the league season for Falkirk. One of the title favourites, no wins in their first seven league matches saw the club part ways with manager Peter Houston in September.

Ex-Saints manager Alex Smith was appointed as caretaker at the age of 77 - making him the oldest boss in European football. Smith guided the side to a first league win of the season against Morton at Cappielow, before defeating Dunfermline 2-0 in the IRN-BRU Cup.

Paul Hartley was appointed permanent manager earlier this month and took charge of his first match last weekend as the Bairns battled out a 0-0 draw with Inverness at the Falkirk Stadium. That stalemate was Falkirk's fifth league game at home this season without a win. This week, Hartley supplemented his backroom team with the appointment of Jimmy Nicholl as assistant manager, while Tam Ritchie joined as fitness coach.

A familiar face to Saints is that of Falkirk striker Rory Loy. The forward joined St Mirren on loan from Dundee in January and played a vital role in keeping the Buddies in the Championship – scoring seven goals including the vital equaliser against Hibernian on the final day of the season. However, the striker hasn't featured for the side since their 2-0 loss to Livingston in September.

Ironically, it was Loy who opened the scoring for St Mirren the last time the Buddies faced Falkirk at the Falkirk Stadium. Still trying to secure Championship status, Loy fired Saints ahead after just five minutes. Lee Miller equalised for the hosts on 20 minutes before a wonderful finish from Stephen McGinn gave St Mirren a second half lead. But Falkirk substitute Bob McHugh gained the home side a point with his finish on 77 minutes. 

Saints last win away against the Bairns was the aforementioned 3-1 win in 2009. Craig Dargo, Billy Mehmet and Tom Brighton scored as the Buddies came from behind to win in the then SPL. Manager Jack Ross started for the Buddies that afternoon as did current club captain Stephen McGinn.

The captain is, however, a doubt for St Mirren tomorrow after picking up a knock in last weekend's win over Dumbarton. Saints are also still without long term absentees Harry Davis, Gary MacKenzie and Josh Todd, but Gary Irvine and Jamie McCart are available for selection after injury ruled them out last week. 

Tomorrow's match will be a difficult one for Saints as they look to maintain the gap they have built at the top of the table. But with seven wins from nine in the League, there is a confidence about this Saints side that they can beat anyone on their day. Falkirk, whose desire to kickstart their season under Hartley will make them a tough prospect tomorrow, will want to avoid losing more ground in their hopes of making the play-offs as they currently sit 10 points off fourth place Dundee United. 

It is with great regret that we have learned that former club admin worker Kathleen Steel passed away earlier this week.

Kathleen was a well-know face at both the stadiums on Love Street and Greenhill Road through her time working at the club through the 1990s and 2000s up to her retirement five years ago.

Kathleen's funeral will take place on Wednesday (25th October) at 2pm at the Woodside Crematorium in Paisley.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Kathleen's family at this time.

Tickets for St Mirren’s trip to Tannadice Park to face Dundee United in a Ladbrokes Championship fixture on 4th November are now on sale from the St Mirren Ticket Office. 

The match and tickets info is as follows:

Dundee United vs St Mirren
Ladbrokes Championship
Venue: Tannadice Park, Dundee
Date: Saturday 4th November 2017
Kick-off: 3:00pm

Ticket Prices

Adult - £20
Over 65* - £10
FT Student* - £10
Under 18* - £10
Ambulant Disabled* - £10
Wheelchair Supporter with Carer - Free

* Proof of status must be shown.

Anyone requiring wheelchair access must contact the St Mirren Ticket Office.

The St Mirren Ticket Office opening hours for the remainder of this week are as follows:

Fri, Oct 20th – 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sat, Oct 21st – CLOSED

St Mirren Ticket Office Tel: (0141) 840-6130.

St Mirren Ticket Office E-Mail: tickets@stmirren.com.

Tomorrow afternoon (Saturday 21st October), St Mirren make the trip to the Forth Valley to face Paul Hartley's Falkirk side at the Falkirk Stadium.

The info on Travel Clubs heading to the Falkirk Stadium for the match is as follows: 

Tile Bar Supporters Bus

The bus going to Falkirk will leave Abercorn Street at 1:30pm.

Bus tickets are now on sale behind the bar.

North End Travel Club

The bus for the Falkirk game will leave The Sneddon at 1:30pm.

Bus tickets are on sale in The Brewer’s Tap, £7 each

Chivas Travel Club

The bus will leave at 1:30pm from the Court Bar.

Bus tickets now on sale from the Court Bar.

Cockles Wilson Supporters Bus

The bus to Falkirk will leave at 1:30pm.

The bus for this match is now sold out.

* Must provide valid proof of status.

** Anyone requiring wheelchair access must contact the St Mirren Ticket Office by no later than 2:00pm on Friday 20th October.

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

Tomorrow, Saturday 21st October, St Mirren make the trip to the Falkirk Stadium to face Paul Hartley's Falkirk side in a Ladbrokes Championship match-up.

Entry to this match is pay-at-the-gate and the gate prices for the fixture at the Falkirk Stadium are confirmed above.

The referee tomorrow is Don Robertson and he will be assisted by Graham Chambers and Greg Soutar.

For directions to the the Falkirk Stadium click here