Match ends, Falkirk 3, St. Mirren 2.
FalkirkFalkirk3St MirrenSt Mirren2
Falkirk got the better of St Mirren to go six points clear of third-placed Hibernian in the Scottish Championship.
Lee Miller nodded a Myles Hippolyte cross beyond Jamie Langfield to put the Bairns ahead but Stephen Mallan's free-kick levelled matters.
Bob McHugh headed the Bairns back ahead but Mallan equalised a second time, firing past Danny Rogers.
But Blair Alston struck in the last minute to secure victory for Peter Houston's side.
And Falkirk, who have played two games more than Hib, travel to take on Alan Stubbs' men on Tuesday evening.
St Mirren remain seventh with manager Alex Rae now looking firmly towards next season.
Bairns finally overcome Buddies
The visitors started brightly and only a last-gasp challenge by Will Vaulks denied Rocco Quinn a clear sight of goal.
Falkirk responded quickly and took the lead. The impressive Hippolyte teased the visiting defence before delivering a cross that was flicked towards the back post where Miller was waiting to score.
John Baird should have doubled that advantage when he found space eight yards out but fluffed his effort.
The Buddies came out battling in the second period and deservedly equalised, Mallan converting a 22-yard set piece into the bottom corner.
The home side though were soon back in front.
Vaulks hit the post with a header before the St Mirren defence cleared but from the resulting corner McHugh nodded home.
Again the Paisley side came back and Mallan doubled his tally for the day by hammering in a cut-back from 12 yards out.
The drama though was far from over and Alston knocked home from eight yards out to secure what could prove to be a crucial win in the battle for second top spot.
Line-ups
Falkirk
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Rogers
- 4Muirhead
- 5McCracken
- 6Vaulks
- 3Leahy
- 8Alston
- 7TaiwoBooked at 55mins
- 11Kerr
- 22HippolyteBooked at 45minsSubstituted forSibbaldat 89'minutes
- 18Miller
- 9BairdSubstituted forMcHughat 61'minutes
Substitutes
- 10Sibbald
- 17Smith
- 19McHugh
- 23Shepherd
- 26McCann
- 28Mehmet
- 31Blues
St Mirren
Formation 4-4-2
- 12Langfield
- 28Irvine
- 15Baird
- 4WebsterBooked at 90mins
- 20WatsonSubstituted forStewartat 69'minutes
- 27Quinn
- 10CarswellSubstituted forGoodwinat 73'minutesBooked at 76mins
- 22GallagherSubstituted forMorganat 73'minutes
- 29Cooper
- 14Mallan
- 25Shankland
Substitutes
- 6Goodwin
- 8Gow
- 9Thompson
- 11Howieson
- 17Morgan
- 33Stewart
- 42Willison
- Referee:
- Andrew Dallas
- Attendance:
- 4,331
Match Stats
Home TeamFalkirkAway TeamSt Mirren
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away6
- Corners
- Home7
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away15
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Falkirk 3, St. Mirren 2.
Booking
Andy Webster (St. Mirren) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Lee Miller (Falkirk) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Andy Webster (St. Mirren).
Goal!
Goal! Falkirk 3, St. Mirren 2. Blair Alston (Falkirk) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Robert McHugh.
Substitution
Substitution, Falkirk. Craig Sibbald replaces Myles Hippolyte.
Post update
Attempt missed. Robert McHugh (Falkirk) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Myles Hippolyte (Falkirk) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Lewis Morgan (St. Mirren).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Jim Goodwin (St. Mirren) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Myles Hippolyte (Falkirk) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Jack Baird (St. Mirren).
Post update
Corner, Falkirk. Conceded by Gary Irvine.
Post update
Attempt saved. Lawrence Shankland (St. Mirren) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Goal!
Goal! Falkirk 2, St. Mirren 2. Stephen Mallan (St. Mirren) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lewis Morgan.
Post update
Attempt saved. Robert McHugh (Falkirk) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Post update
Foul by Myles Hippolyte (Falkirk).
Post update
Lewis Morgan (St. Mirren) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Will Vaulks (Falkirk).
