Saints picked up their first home point since the opening day of the season thanks to some late drama at the Paisley 2021 Stadium this evening.
It looked as if visitors Falkirk would leave with the victory thanks to Craig Sibbald's early free-kick, which took a huge deflection that gave Jamie Langfield no hope of keeping it out of the net.
However, with just a few minutes remaining sub Tom Walsh strode up and sent a tremendous shot into the bottom corner to salvage a draw for the Buddies. It meant the fans left in a far cheerier mood than had looked likely, however with Saints still two points adrift of Dumbarton whoever the new manager is has their work cut out for them.
Langfield was back in the team at the expense of Scott Gallacher, who dropped to the bench. Andy Webster had been set to take over from Jack Baird in defence but picked up an injury in the warm-up meaning the young defender started after all. Namesake and former Buddie John led the Falkirk attack.
Some Saints corners in the glorious sunshine provided some early hope for the home fans that was quickly extinguished as a few spots of rain began to fall. After Lewis Kidd dragged an early shot wide, Craig Sibbald was fouled at the edge of the box. The midfielder took the free-kick that followed and it took a huge deflection off the wall before spinning beyond the reach of Langfield into the bottom corner.
Saints weren't playing badly but they weren't creating a great deal either, Stephen Mallan turning and shooting well wide from 25 yards all they had to show for their efforts in the opening quarter. They had managed to restrict the Bairns relatively well until some nice passing play created an opening for John Baird, however he shot wide from the edge of the box.
There was concern 10 minutes before the break when John Rankin's thundering shot hit Gary Irvine directly in the face. The stand-in Buddies captain was in a spot of bother, struggling to get to his feet before a doctor was called to make sure he was okay. Fortunately he was and the leftback continued. Saints hadn't created much of note but could have been level just before the break, a deep free-kick only being cleared as far as Hardie who smashed the ball over from 12 yards out when he should have hit the target at least. In stoppage time Falkirk almost extended their advantage, Langfield's legs blocking a Falkirk shot, creating a bit of a stramash before he smothered the ball.
Half-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Falkirk
There was a lucky escape for Saints early in the second half as Falkirk thought they'd doubled their lead. John Baird's shot deflected kindly for Bob McHugh and the striker slotted the ball home, however the celebrations were cut short by the offside flag. McHugh was beginning to cause problems, getting the better of MacKenzie before losing his balance, meaning his shot was no trouble for Langfield.
That was something Rocco Quinn could empathise with just after the hour mark. Hardie's ball into the box was knocked on by Sutton but as the midfielder stretched to shoot he stumbled. He was replaced by Tom Walsh soon after before McHugh had another shot saved, this time his attempt taking a deflection before being grabbed by Langfield. Soon after he was replaced by Lee Miller, James Craigen replacing Tom Taiwo at the same time.
Saints finally registered an attempt on target 15 minutes from the end, Hardie miscontrolling the ball before recomposing himself enough to turn and shoot, however his effort was straight at keeper Rogers. Falkirk made their final change as Sibbald was replaced by Hippolyte, whose first involvement was to curl a free-kick straight into Langfield's arms. Kyle Hutton picked up a cheap booking a few minutes later for complaining about a free-kick given against Irvine for his challenge on Craigen.
The Bairns were looking the more likely of the two to grab a goal, Langfield blocking Craigen's header with his legs after a great Baird cross. David Clarkson was introduced five minutes from the end at the expense of Hutton and just two minutes later Saints snatched a point. Walsh collected the ball midway inside the Falkirk half and ran forward before unleashing a tremendous shot that left Rogers grasping at air as it flew into the bottom corner.
Suddenly the Saints players and fans could sniff an unlikely first win of the season and it almost arrived in the dying moments. Mallan had a curling shot deflected behind before Lewis Morgan worked himself some space on the left and drilled a ball that flew across goal with no takers when the slightest touch off anyone would have sent it into the net. Pushing for a winner left the Buddies slightly exposed at the back and in the final minute of injury time Falkirk managed to force a corner that thankfully came to nothing, meaning the points were shared.
Full-Time: St Mirren 1-1 Falkirk
St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith, Irvine, Baird, MacKenzie, Quinn (Walsh 62), Sutton, Mallan, Hutton (Clarkson 85), Morgan, Hardie.
Subs Not Used: Webster, Shankland, McDonald, Whyte, Gallacher (GK).
Falkirk: Rogers, Kidd, Leahy, McCracken, Rankin, Taiwo (Craigen 64), Kerr, Baird, Sibbald (Hippolyte 76), Gasparotto, McHugh (Miller 64).
Subs Not Used: Austin, Shepherd, Watson, Deniz (GK).
Referee: John Beaton.
Assistant Referee: Douglas Ross.
Assistant Referee: Calum Spence.
4th Official: Gavin Ross.
Attendance: 2,344.
Match report and gallery pictures by John Millar and Allan Picken – © Allan Picken Photography and © John Millar.
