The St Mirren U20s were knocked out of the Youth Cup by Dunfermline yesterday afternoon in a game that could've turned out so different. 

Stuart Morrison put the visitors ahead just before half time when he poked the ball home after a flick on from a free kick. 

As time ticked away in the game, Cameron MacPherson picked up a red card for the Buddies which looked like killing off any hopes of progressing to the next round. But Saints had a great chance to take the game to extra time when they won a penalty in the 90th minute. But Craig Johnston's effort was saved by the Dunfermline goalkeeper. 

Any hopes of taking the game further were ended in injured time when Conner Duthie struck to double the visitors lead and send them through to the next round.

Match report pictures by Allan Picken – © Allan Picken Photography.

Match Gallery Pictures by John Millar - © millarpictures

Saints did pretty much everything but score against Dumbarton this afternoon - and ended up paying the penalty for it. 

Despite being on top for much of the game, Saints just couldn't find a way through, John Sutton in particular finding his luck was out in front of goal with a series of headers. Having been the dominant force, it was perhaps inevitable what was to happen next. 

The nature of Dumbarton's goal midway through the second half proved particularly painful and summed up the sort of season it has been. Saints goalie Jamie Langfield was under no real pressure when he played the ball straight to Joe Thomson, the Dumbarton man squaring for Garry Fleming to tap home what proved to be the only goal, despite Sutton and Ryan Hardie both hitting the bar late on. 

Sutton was back in the team at the expense of Lawrence Shankland, who dropped to the bench. There was a first ever senior start for youngster Kyle Magennis and only a second appearance of the season for fellow teenager Kyle McAllister. The fit again Gary MacKenzie started with with Kyle Hutton and Jack Baird benched. 

Saints made a bright start, David Clarkson firing over after collecting Gary Irvine's early throw and Sutton heading off target from Lewis Morgan's cross. The striker was getting a lot of aerial balls to work with, heading straight at goalkeeper Alan Martin from Stephen Mallan's delivery. The midfielder had the Buddies' next chance when he let fly from 25 yards, however his shot was always bending away from goal and Martin wasn't troubled. 

Saints continued to push, McAllister's ball over the top finding Morgan and the young winger switched to his right foot before shooting, Martin getting down to his near post to turn the ball behind. The corner provided another chance, Mallan finding Sutton and his header was inches past the post. The Sons defence seemed unable to deal with the big forward and it looked like he'd get the opener when Morgan provided another cross but Sutton wasn't able to get enough on it to force it home.

Dumbarton had barely threatened, Docherty shooting well over from miles out, with Saints enjoying most of the possession. Just before the break they had another chance, Martin unable to hold Magennis' shot from the edge of the box but he smothered the ball before the lurking Sutton could pounce.

Half Time: St Mirren 0-0 Dumbarton

Jamie Langfield had had little to do in the first half but that was quickly put right a few minutes after the break. A ball into the box caught the Saints defence off-guard and the unmarked Garry Fleming's header was superbly kept out by the Buddies keeper. 

The response was swift as Saints quickly won a corner, McAllister exchanging passes with Clarkson before lashing a shot over. Langfield was in action again when he saved Sam Stanton's shot before the hosts really should have been in front. Morgan hung a cross up at the back post and Jason Naismith charged in unmarked only to send a thumping header into the side netting.

Saints had been well on top but, as has been the case far too often this season, were about to prove architects of their own downfall. There seemed to be no danger when Langfield collected the ball but he kicked it straight to Joe Thomson at the edge of the box. The Dumbarton man couldn't believe his luck and, after composing himself, squared for Fleming to stroke the ball into the empty net. 

Instead of looking for a winner, Saints now found themselves desperately for an equaliser. Clarkson was replaced by Shankland before Sutton was denied once again, this time Martin saving his header from a corner. However, just before Ryan Hardie replaced McAllister, Fleming almost finished things off, his shot from the edge of the box finding the side netting when many Dumbarton fans thought it was in. 

Sutton's day was summed up 10 minutes from time when he rose highest to meet a corner, only to see his header hit the bar with no one able to force home the rebound. The final few minutes were to prove even more agonising for Saints fans. Shankland worked himself into some space on the left and crossed for Hardie to surely snatch a point, only for the on-loan Rangers man to hit the bar from just a few yards out. 

As Dumbarton scrambled the ball behind for a corner, Calum Gallagher - on for Ben Gordon - dinked a ball up for Shankland but he tamely headed at Martin and the Sons held out for the win. 

Full Time: St Mirren 0-1 Dumbarton

St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith, Gordon (Gallagher, 85), MacKenzie, Irvine, Mallan, Magennis, McAllister (Hardie, 76), Clarkson (Shankland, 64), Morgan, Sutton
Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Baird, Hutton, McLear

Dumbarton: Martin, Docherty, J.Thomson, Buchanan, Fleming (Stevenson, 82), R.Thomson, Stanton, Harvie, Barr, Smith, Stirling (Todd, 80)
Subs Not Used: Ewings, Pettigrew, McCallum, Wright

Referee: John McKendrick
Assistant Referee: Sean Carr
Assistant Referee: Chris Phillips

Attendance: 2,758

Match report pictures by Allan Picken – © Allan Picken Photography.

Match Gallery Pictures by John Millar - © millarpictures

St Mirren were dealt derby disappointment as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at Cappielow. First half goals from Thomas O'Ware and Ross Forbes were added to by a second half strike by Gary Oliver to consign Saints to a bitterly disappointing defeat. Ben Gordon pulled back a late goal for the Saints but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation goal.

Saints started the game brightly and won a corner with less than two minutes on the clock. Mallan whipped the ball in but it was easily dealt with by the Morton defence. 

It only took until the five minute mark for either side to register a shot and it came when Forbes drilled a low effort from outside the box into the arms of Jamie Langfield. However, it was easy for the goalkeeper who was making his 50th start for the Saints. 

Morton were on the front foot in the early goings with Quitongo causing problems for Ben Gordon and his ball for Gary Oliver looked to have created a great opportunity for the striker but St Mirren got numbers back and cleared the danger. 

The Ton's pressure would tell though and they took the lead with just 15 minutes gone through Thomas O'Ware. The defender leapt above the St Mirren defence to bullet Forbes' free kick beyond Langfield and give the home side the lead. 

Saints were struggling to impose themselves on the game and things went from bad to worse when Morton doubled their lead before the half hour mark. Saints lost the ball in the midfield area and the skillful Quitongo back heeled the ball to Oliver who sent Forbes on his way. The midfielder broke into the box and drilled the ball into the back of the net. 

In truth, Morton were well worth their lead as the Buddies failed to get going. Things could've been different going in to half-time when David Clarkson went close to halving the deficit. The striker picked up the ball on the edge of the box and got the shot away, but watched as it agonisingly trickled just beyond the far point. Lawrence Shankland also had an opportunity before half-time though fired it over the bar. 

Half Time: Morton 2-0 St Mirren

Jack Ross reacted to the first half showing by bringing on Kyle Magennis and John Sutton for Kyle Hutton and Tom Walsh and Saints were starting to have a bit more territory, but were failing to create any real chances to get themselves back into the game. Forbes went close for Morton when he curled an effort goal bound but it was well held by Langfield. 

Jason Naismith went close when his shot was deflected just by the post and out for a corner. The Buddies failed to make it count as Morton easily cleared. 

Any chance of Saints getting back into the game looked to have been extinguished when Morton had the ball in the back of the net for a third time but the linesman's flag was raised as Oliver was adjudged to have blocked Langfield's view. 

That wasn't to matter for Morton though as they went 3-0 up less than ten minutes later. Gary Oliver picked up the ball just outside the box after Forbes' flick on and lashed it into the net to secure all three points.

There was a late consolation goal as Gordon headed home Mallan's corner. It was a good header from the defender - who was making just his third Saints appearance - but wasn't enough to spark an unlikely comeback.

Full Time: Morton 3-1 St Mirren

St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith, Baird, Gordon, Irvine, Walsh (Sutton, 46), Hutton (Magennis, 46), Mallan, Morgan, Clarkson, Shankland (Hardie, 64)
Subs Not Used: Gallacher, Whyte, McLear, Gallagher

Morton: Gaston, Lamie, O'Ware. Oliver, Forbes (Tidser, 85), Lindsay, Nesbitt, Russell, McDonagh, Murdoch, Quitongo (Oyenuga, 80)
Subs Not Used: McNeill, Kilday, Gunning, Doyle, Scullion 

Attendance: 3,378 (1008 St Mirren fans)

Match report pictures by Allan Picken – © Allan Picken Photography.

Match Gallery Pictures © John Millar.

St Mirren were unable to replicate their IRN-BRU cup victory against Hibernian as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Easter Road in the Ladbrokes Championship.

Saints started the match well with some early pressure down the left wing from Lewis Morgan. The young midfielder won the visitors a free kick within the first minute of play when John McGinn brought him down five yards outside the box. Stevie Mallan stood over the set piece however, the Saints number 10 could not find the target.

Only a minute later, Morgan was through again. The quick midfielder cut inside the Hibs defence and unleashed a powerful shot which was agonisingly wide.

It was then Hibs turn to pile on the pressure as they too saw a shot go just wide as Andrew Shinnie’s rebound was off target.

With seven minutes on the clock, Hibs opened the scoring through Martin Boyle. Shinnie played the ball over the top of the St Mirren defence and Boyle latched on to it as he broke forward. Langfield advanced in hope of blocking the shot but Boyle nicked it over the keeper and into the net to make it 1-0.

St Mirren tried to respond to conceding and came within inches of scoring once more. Saints’ corner was headed towards goal by Lawrence Shankland but it was headed away by the Hibs defence, only as far as Clarkson who blasted just wide of the target.

Hibs doubled their lead just after the half hour mark, Grant Holt the scorer this time. The original attack was from Boyle who was crowded out by the St Mirren defence but the ball came to Holt on the edge of the box who managed to find a pocket of space to stroke the ball home to make it 2-0.

Half-Time: Hibernian 2-0 St Mirren

The Buddies made a half time change in the hope of turning the match around which saw Kyle Magennis come on to make his debut taking the place of Ryan Hardie.

Saints had some early pressure in the second half but were unable to make it count. Lewis Morgan got the better of David Gray on the left wing and played the ball into the box. Jason Naismith was waiting but his header was not powerful enough to trouble Ofir Marciano in the Hibs goal.

Boyle remained the danger man for Hibs as he found himself through on goal again after Gary Irvine misjudged the bounce of the ball. However, the defender was joined by Jack Baird in putting pressure on Boyle and in the end the forward skewed his shot wide. 

St Mirren continued to look for a way back into the match as David Clarkson made way for John Sutton. 

Kyle Magennis had a chance to make his mark as the ball fell to him perfectly on the edge of the box but the young substitute’s shot was blocked and cleared from danger.

Things looked to get worse for St Mirren when Hibs were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes left to play. Gary Irvine was cautioned after he was judged to have fouled Grant Holt. It was Holt who stepped up to take the spot kick but was unable to convert it as Jamie Langfield got down to pull off a great save.

St Mirren made their last change as Kyle Hutton was replaced by Calum Gallagher but the changes weren’t enough to see St Mirren score and after a goalless second half, the match finished in Hibernian’s favour.

Full-Time: Hibernian 2-0 St Mirren

Hibernian: Marciano, Gray, Hanlon, Fontaine, McGinn (Bartley 76), Fyvie, Holt (Graham 83), Stevenson, Boyle (Harris 90), Shinnie, McGregor.
Subs Not Used: Forster, Cummings, Martin, Laidlaw (GK).

St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith, Baird, Gordon, Irvine, Hutton (Gallagher 77), Mallan, Morgan, Hardie (Magennis 46), Clarkson (Sutton 64), Shankland.
Subs Not Used: Walsh, McLear, Whyte, Gallacher (GK).

Referee: Don Robertson.
Assistant Referee: Alasdair Ross.
Assistant Referee: Daniel McFarlane.

Attendance: 14,485.

Match report pictures by Allan Picken – © Allan Picken Photography.

Match Gallery Pictures © John Millar.

The St Mirren U20s let a half-time lead slip away in a four minute period early in the second half as they went down 4-1 this evening to Celtic in a SPFL Development League match-up at The Paisley 2021 Stadium.

Saints started the match brightly with David Clarkson firing the first shot on goal in 2 minutes but his effort went narrowly wide of Conor Hazard's post.

Clarkson came close again on the 20 minute mark but his header came rattling off the crossbar, then ten minutes later he came close again as he pulled his shot just wide of the target.

St Mirren got their just rewards five minutes later when Kyle McAllister fired the ball past Hazard to open the scoring.

Saints went into the break deservedly with the lead but within ten minutes of the restart they were left reeling as well as trailing the Glasgow side. Jack Aitchison pulled Celtic level on 49 minutes when he took advantage of slack defending by Saints before going past Willison and slipping the ball into the back of the net.

Two minutes later Saints were stunned as Celtic took the lead as Aitchison scored again, this time with a header. Another two minutes after that and the game was all but lost for Saints as Michael Johnston went on a run before firing the ball past Willison to make it 3-1 for Celtic.

Celtic put the finishing touch to their second half performance with a fourth goal on 90 minutes as Daniel Higgins fired a shot into the top corner.

Next up for Saints in the Development League is a trip to the Highlands on 1st November to face Ross County.

St Mirren U20: Willison, McNaughton, McDonald, Magennis, Whyte, Gordon, Gallagher, McLear, Shankland (O’Keefe 70), Clarkson (MacPherson 70), McAllister (Flanagan 76).
Subs: McKendry, Johnston, Fawkes, Henry (GK)

Match pictures by John Millar – © John Millar.

SAINTS got the Jack Ross era off to a hugely frustrating start as despite creating a plethora of chances they drew a blank as Dundee United left with all three points.  Missing chances and giving away soft goals is a deadly combination and the areas of improvement for the new managerial team is clear to see.

On the positive it was a massively better performance in most areas than we have witnessed thus far with a slightly altered shape allowing our better players to get on the ball in more advance areas which is a huge step in the right direction as was the increased work rate.  On another more clinical day we could have very probably taken something against a United team destined to be there or thereabouts come the business end of the season.

Saints started brighter taking the game to a United team still looking for the expected levels of consistency under Ray McKinnon.  John Sutton was assigned to lead the line with Lewis Morgan and Ryan Hardie either side with Stevie Mallan in close contact in one of the noticeable tactical tweaks made by the new management team.

The physical presence of Sutton was causing United all sorts of grief and Ryan Hardie really ought to have profited from the crumbs.  The Scotland Under-21 striker dragged one chance wide then rammed a shot down the throat of Cammy Bell in the United goal.

United were offering little against a Saints team anchored by Rocco Quinn and a far more lively than previously seen Kyle Hutton.  This being the case it continued to be Saints who threatened with Bell needing two attempts to field a well-struck and slightly deflected drive from Lewis Morgan.

At this stage Saints were well on top with United unable to get out.  Problem was Saints didn’t take the chances when they were coming and United went on to punish them late in the half as they grew more and more into proceedings.

Tope Obadeyi robbed Gary Irvine and as United broke Saints struggled to get set defensively and were ultimately undone by a quick exchange of passes and a final pass from Tony Andreu showing why Norwich paid over a million pounds for him as he set Scott Fraser through to open the scoring.

It was a cruel blow for Saints, but by the interval they were happy to get in just a solitary goal behind.  United hit Saints with another purposeful and pacy counter and only a good last ditch intervention kept them out. This, and a final wild swipe by Obadeyi when he had a chance to work Jamie Langfield.

Half-Time: St Mirren 0-1 Dundee United

When the second half got underway it was United who came out the traps quicker.  Gary Irvine did well to get back and boot Tony Andreu’s effort off the line as Fraser and Charlie Telfer in the visiting midfield started to pop passes about.

Saints eventually weathered the storm and started to once again cause problems.  Morgan should have done better than shoot straight at Bell when he had evaded his marker and then Bell made a super stop to keep out substitute Lawrence Shankland.

Again though without being able to add a finishing touch to the good work Saints were to be landed with another counter punch.  Langfield denied Simon Murray, but the ball bobbled to Andreu who cleverly and clinically clipped the ball over the head of Langfield into the vacant net.

Two goals down but Saints kept going, but also kept missing chances.  Shankland shot wide, Clarkson missed a glorious opening having done well to wheel away from his defender, Morgan again hit Bell with a shot and Shankland saw a header booted off the line.

In amongst all this United stopper, Mark Durnan, was dismissed for a second bookable offence.  Despite the numerical advantage, albeit for the very late stages, Saints were unable to get the goal they merited as United held on for the win.

Full-Time: St Mirren 0-2 Dundee United

St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith, Irvine, MacKenzie (Clarkson 75), Quinn, Sutton, Mallan (Shankland 59), Hutton, Baird, Morgan, Hardie (Walsh 71).
Subs Not Used: Gallagher, McLear, Stewart, Gallacher (GK).

Dundee United: Bell, Dixon, Durnan, Fraser, Obadeyi (Spittal 69), Telfer, Edjenguele, Flood, Andreu (Donaldson 86), van der Struijk, van der Velden (Murray 69).
Subs Not Used: Dillon, Smith, Coote, Zwick (GK).

Referee: Nick Walsh.
Assistant Referee: Willie Conquer.
Assistant Referee: Jordan Curran.

Attendance: 3,612.

Star Saint: Have to agree with the fans’ vote as Gary Irvine was exemplary throughout in appetite, leadership and general play.

Match report and gallery pictures by Allan Picken – © Allan Picken Photography.

The Under-20 version of the 'Battle of the Saints' ended in a 1-1 draw this evening at The Paisley 2021 Stadium.

The SPFL Development League fixture didn't heat up until the second half when substitute Robbie Polson put the Perth Saints into the lead on 63 minutes.

Fifteen minutes later St Mirren substitute Nathan Flanagan scored to pull the Paisley Saints level again.

As the game headed towards stoppage time St Johnstone keeper Ben McKenzie denied Saints as he did well to block Kalvin Orsi's header then seconds later Darren's Whyte's effort was cleared from the goalmouth.

St Mirren U20: Willison, McNaughton, Stewart, Magennis, Whyte, McDonald, Gallagher (McAllister 56), McLear, Shankland (Flanagan 56), Orsi, O’Keefe.
Unused Subs: MacPherson, Johnston, McKendry, Barclay, Henry (GK).

Match pictures by John Millar – © John Millar.

St Mirren booked their place in the IRN-BRU Cup quarter final after a 2-1 win away to Hibs in caretaker Allan McManus' final game in charge. Jack Ross was appointed as new manager earlier this week but it was McManus who took Saints one final time and the Head of Youth Development at the Buddies signed off in perfect fashion with St Mirren into the hat for the next round of the cup. 

Hibs started the game on top with an early offside flag foiling James Keatings before Andrew Shinnie went close with just two minutes on the clock when he cut in from the left but dragged his shot wide of Langfield's near post. However, St Mirren grew into the game and had a great opportunity to open the scoring when Tom Walsh robbed Jordan Forster in the final third and burst in on goal but the effort from a tight angle was tame and nestled into the arms of Marciano.

A foul by Walsh on Martin Boyle yielded a free kick for Hibs from which Keatings flashed a teasing ball across the box but nobody could get on the end of it with Hibees captain David Gray coming close as he ghosted in at the back post.

It was a drab encounter with very little in the way of goalmouth action. Shinnie had a shot blocked for the hosts whilst Stephen Mallan put a long range shot straight into the arms of Marciano.

Hibs took the lead with less than 10 minutes until half-time through Alex Harris. The winger cut in from the left and got away from Kyle Hutton - who slipped - before dispatching the ball beyond Langfield. There was nothing the goalkeeper could do and it looked like Hibs would be going into the break ahead.

But St Mirren were back on level terms following a stunning free kick from Mallan after Rocco Quinn was fouled 25 yards outside the box by Dylan McGeouch. It was Mallan territory as the 20 year-old stepped up and dispatched the free kick beyond the reach of Marciano to the delight of the travelling Saints fans. It was Mallan's second of the season after scoring in the previous round of the IRN-BRU Cup against Albion Rovers and was reminiscent of his goal against Hibs at Easter Road in January.

Half Time: Hibernian 1-1 St Mirren

Saints came out in the second half buoyed by Mallan's goal and had an early penalty shout denied when John Sutton looked to have been pulled back in the box but Willie Collum was unmoved.

Hibs took control in the second half though and there was a huge let off for the Buddies on 50 minutes when Keatings ballooned a shot over the bar. David Gray's low cross along the box found the striker in loads of space but, with the goal gaping, he fired it over the bar. Had he hit the target it was sure to have gone in and the Hibees man will have been disappointed that he failed to do so.

The hosts almost got themselves back in front with a long range fizzer from Dylan McGeouch. McGeouch was pulling the strings in the Hibees midfield and he was unlucky to see his effort crack off the post but it was another let-off for the Buddies.

Allan McManus responded by changing shape from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-1-1 with the introduction of David Clarkson, coming on for Rocco Quinn but it was still Hibs who were having the better of the game and less than a minute after the sub they could've been 2-1 ahead when Alex Harris got on the end of Fyvie's long pass but Langfield was equal to his deft touch, denying him a second goal.

Lawrence Shankland was Saints final substitution and it was a sub that paid dividends almost immediately as he linked up with David Clarkson to set up St Mirren's second goal. The striker brilliantly picked out Clarkson who had burst into the box and he slid in to poke the ball beyond Marciano. Hibs were furious as they felt Shankland had got a touch on the ball from an offside position after Clarkson hit the shot but that wasn't the case and the goal stood.

There were a few heart in mouth moments for Saints before the contest was over with a fantastic last ditch challenge from Baird denying Jason Cummings before Marvin Bartley put a header straight into Langfield's arms right at the death. However, this was to be St Mirren's day and they march on in the IRN-BRU Cup.

FULL TIME: Hibernian 1-2 St Mirren

St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith, MacKenzie, Baird, Irvine, Hutton, Quinn (Clarkson 63), Mallan, Walsh (Gallagher 74), Morgan, Sutton (Shankland 82)
Subs not used: Willison, McDonald, Whyte, O'Keefe

Hibernian: Marciano, Gray, McGregor, Forster, Hanlon, Fyvie, McGeouch, Shinnie (Bartley 69), Boyle (Cummings 69), Harris (Holt 84) , Keatings
Subs not used: Laidlaw, Stevenson, Eardley, Graham

Referee: William Collum
Assistant Referee: Brian Templeton
Assistant Referee: Gordon Crawford

Attendance: 4,392

Match report and gallery pictures by John Millar – © John Millar.

A late goal from Tom Walsh earned St Mirren a share of the points with Falkirk in Saturday's Ladbrokes Championship match at The Paisley 2021 Stadium.

The Bairns took a first half lead thanks to a wicked deflection from Craig Sibbald's free-kick which sent the ball spinning past Saints' keeper Jamie Langfield.

Saints battled back in the second half and got a deserved equaliser with three minutes remaining as Tom Walsh surged forward before rifling his shot into the bottom corner to earn Saints a much needed point.

Paisley Panda had a busy day on Saturday with the half-time competition 'Bung a Baw' selling out for the first time. The Panda said: "It was really busy on Saturday as we sold out so to avoid disappointment at the next home game against Dundee United get in early and buy your ball to take part in 'Bung a Baw'."

Official Website photographer, Allan Picken was at The Paisley 2021 Stadium to capture all the action.

© Allan Picken Photography.

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.