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
