Jack Ross gives his thoughts on today's final game of the season, where The Saints lost 1-0 to Falkirk.

The curtain came down on St Mirren's season today, as they lost 1-0 to Falkirk for the second time in 11 days.

With both clubs' fate already decided for next season, there was nothing at stake in today's match; but the Paisley side were hoping to end an incredible season on a high, but it wasn't to be.

There was a nice reception before the game for Alex Smith, who Saints fans will know from the role he played in our 1987 Scottish Cup win. He received a standing ovation from both sets of fans, as he is set to retire from football.

St Mirren started the game very well, looking confident on the ball as they had their first chance of the game. Stelios Demetriou found himself in plenty of space on the left, as he drove in on goal and unleashed a wicked shot from 20 yards which was deflected behind by Falkirk keeper Robbie Mutch.

This strike on the sixth minute was the best chance both teams had the entire half, with most efforts coming from long range. Despite the lack of goal threat, there was still some nice football being played by both teams.

Late on in the first half, Louis Longridge picked up on a loose ball deep in Saints half and tried to manoeuvre his way into the box. The tricky winger was close to succeeding, but Mark Hill stayed with him the whole way and made a great tackle on the midfielder to clear the ball from danger.

Right on the stroke of half time The Buddies had a decent effort to put themselves in front. Myles Hippolyte, who caused their defence problems all day, burst through the centre of the park and slipped the ball forward to Gavin Reilly in the danger area. The ball was running away from goal though, so the team's top goalscorer didn't get a great connection as the ball was held comfortably by the Falkirk stopper. 

Half Time: Falkirk 0-0 St Mirren

The second half was a bit more livelier than the first, as Falkirk had a freekick on the edge of the box only one minute after the restart. It was a good effort from Joe McKee as it narrowly went over the crossbar, but Craig Samson appeared to have it covered anyway.

The home side had an excellent chance to put themselves ahead five minutes later. A ball from the right was floated to the back post where Craig Sibbald was standing alone and struck a fine volley on goal, only to be denied by a wonder save from Craig Samson.

Saints started to grow into the game though. On the 63rd minute Hippolyte waltzed past Falkirk's Jordan McGhee and delivered a great cross into the box which was cleared only as far as Morgan on the edge of the area. The winger tried a first time effort, but just never caught the ball correctly as he blazed it over the bar and into the crowd.

Reilly then had an effort from similar range eight minutes later. This time though Reilly found the target and it was in all the way, but a very smart save from Mutch managed to turn it away for a corner.

Another good chance for Saints fell on the 76th minute, when Hippolyte won a feekick on the left side of the box. Morgan stepped up to take it and nearly scored, when he decided to shoot instead of cross - which caught out the Falkirk keeper. It was a good, clean strike, but was just ever so slightly high of the goal, as The Buddies were getting closer and closer.

St Mirren's best chance of the game came on the 84th minute though, as Morgan broke away from the Falkirk defence near the halfway line and like only he can, pulled away from them with ease. He was clean through on goal, with only the goalkeeper to beat, but his effort was somehow blocked by Robbie Mutch.

The team were left to rue their chances two minutes later, when Ryan Blair, having only been on the park for three minutes, unleashed an unstoppable strike that struck Samson's left post and went in to send the Bairns fans wild. 

The game ended 1-0 to Falkirk as The Saints were left gutted after another late winner from Paul Hartley's team. The Paisley faithful didn't care though, as they rounded off one of the most successful season's in the club's history.

Full Time: Falkirk 1-0 St Mirren

St Mirren: Samson, L.Smith, Baird, Hill, Stelios, McShane, Erhahon (Mullen 56'), Flynn, Morgan, Hippolyte, Reilly (Sutton 80')
Subs Not Used: Stewart, Irvine, Donati, Glover, C.Smith

Falkirk: Mutch, Kidd (Harris 66'), McGhee, Grant, McKee (O'Hara 66'), Sibbald, Longridge, Jakubiak, Robson, Watson, Welsh (Blair 82') 
Subs Not Used: Hazard, Tumilty, Mitchell, Dunne

Referee: Stephen Finnie
Assistant Referee: Drew Kirkland
Assistant Referee: Simon MacLean

St Mirren's season draws to a close tomorrow afternoon as the champions travel to the Falkirk Stadium.

Ironically, it was against Falkirk that the Buddies' title winning season kicked off with a 3-1 win over the Bairns on opening day at the Paisley 2021 Stadium in August. Nathan Austin had given the visitors an early lead, but goals from Stelios Demetriou, Cammy Smith and Gavin Reilly saw Saints win on opening day for the first time since 2006.

It's been a disappointing season for Falkirk who will end the season in seventh place. The Bairns were expected to challenge for the title, but an early season slump saw Peter Houston leave the club and replaced by Paul Hartley.  

Our only to the Falkirk Stadium this season so far came way back in October when the Buddies were held to a 0-0 draw despite Cammy Smith having a good chance right at the death to steal all three points. 

Paul Hartley's side made their final trip to Paisley just over a week ago where they picked up all three points to secure their Championship status. Saints had gone 1-0 in front thanks to ex-Falkirk forward Myles Hippolyte's early second half penalty. But strikes from Joe McKee and Craig Sibbald in the last eight minutes of the match saw the visitors leave with the points. 

Both sides will look to close the season on a high with a win, but it's sure to be a party for the travelling Saints fans tomorrow regardless of the result as the will show their support for the champions one last time before the season ends. There will also be a send-off for Falkirk technical director Alex Smith who takes in his last match before heading off to Australia for his retirement. Smith is certain to receive a great reception from both supports having been Saints' 1987 Scottish Cup winning manager. 

Captain Stephen McGinn is out due to suspension, while Adam Eckersley will miss out again for the Buddies due to injury. 

All the matchday info you need can be found here.

We are delighted to announce that Greenlaw Garage are the latest company to commit their support for the new season.

Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy said: "I am delighted that Greenlaw Garage have not only renewed their signage at the stadium but has also renewed their sponsorship of Head Groundsman, Tommy Docherty's van."

Tomorrow afternoon (Saturday 28th April) St Mirren close out the season by heading to The Falkirk Stadium to face Paul Hartley's Falkirk side in a Ladbrokes Championship fixture.

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

North End Travel Club

The bus to Falkirk will leave from The Sneddon at 1:15pm.

The bus for this match is now sold out.

Cockles Wilson Supporters Bus

Our bus for the Falkirk game will leave at 1:15pm.

The bus for this match is now sold out.

Chivas Travel Club

The bus going to the Falkirk Stadium will leave from The Court Bar at 1:30pm.

The bus for this match is now sold out.

Tile Bar Supporters Bus

The bus to the match against Falkirk will leave at 1:15pm from Abercorn Street.

The bus for this match is now sold out.

* Must provide valid proof of status.

** The tickets for under 12s are free when purchasing with an adult ticket

It has been confirmed that there will be two turnstiles open on the day of the match for fans to pay-on-the-day, but match tickets can be bought in advance of the matchday up till 2:00pm today (Friday 27th April) from the St Mirren Ticket Office.

Additional Information for Travelling Fans

Tomorrow, Saturday 28th April, St Mirren head to the Falkirk Stadium to face Falkirk in a Ladbrokes Championship match-up.

The referee tomorrow is Stephen Finnie and he will be assisted by Drew Kirkland and Simon MacLean.

In addition to last week's nomination for PFA Championship Player of the Year, we would now like to congratulate Lewis Morgan on his nomination for PFA Young player of the Year.

Lewis has helped St Mirren achieve Premiership promotion this season, contributing 18 goals and 13 assists along the way.

It was today announced that the nominees for the illustrious award are as follows;

Kieran Tierney (Celtic)
Scott McKenna (Aberdeen)
Alfredo Morelos (Rangers)
Lewis Morgan (St Mirren)

The winner will be announced at the PFA awards dinner on Sunday 29th April. 

Liam Smith showed his delight at lifting the Scottish Championship trophy on Saturday afternoon, following a 2-1 victory over Renfrewshire rivals Morton. 

The on-loan Hearts full-back spoke to Buddievision on Trophy Day about the team's accomplishments this year and admits the experience has turned out even better than he had envisaged. 

Smith said: "It's been brilliant. I think if someone had said to me when I first came on loan that we were going to win the league, and play the way we have played, I would have bitten their hand off. It's been brilliant for everybody involved.

"I couldn't have asked for anymore. I think the gaffer said that was his plan and he has stuck by that, so I've got to thank him and all the boys, because we've done brilliantly and nobody can take that away from us now."

St Mirren captured the league title a week prior to the Renfrewshire derby in a 0-0 draw with Livingston. But The Saints had not been on their best run of form recently, having lost to Dundee Utd and Falkirk either side of the Livingston game. But this wasn't how Smith and the rest of the squad wanted their season to finish.   

He continued: "We didn't want to end the season with a dip, we wanted to go out and play how we've played the whole year.

"I think we did that - there's nothing better than winning a derby, regardless of what is surrounding the game."

Smith has turned out 33 times for The Buddies this season, scoring two goals in the process against Queen of the South and Dunfermline respectively.

The 22 year-old concedes though that he isn't sure where his future lies at the moment, but he has cherished his time in Paisley. 

He added: "Not at the moment, but listen, I've loved every minute here.

"I have a year left at Hearts, so I think it will probably be up to them. But I'll go away, have a good summer and see where I end up."

Gallery pictures by Allan Picken © - Allan Picken Photography and John Millar © - Millar Pictures

St Mirren Commercial Manager, Campbell Kennedy is putting on a coach, possibly two, on Saturday for our trip to face Falkirk in the last game of the season.

The hospitality suite and bar will be open from 11am with buses departing the stadium at 1:15pm. 

Breakfast rolls and hot pies will be served on the day. 

The cost is £7 per head and tickets are available to purchase at the main reception of the Paisley 2021 Stadium.