 Pedro Moutinho is congratulated after opening the scoring |
St Mirren look in danger of being sucked into the relegation battle after a match that Falkirk won easily. Portuguese striker Pedro Moutinho opened the scoring for Falkirk with a terrific turn and shot.
The Bairns spent the rest of the first half in wave after wave of attacks and Stephen O'Donnell doubled their lead from close range just before the break.
The home side controlled the game and, despite some late St Mirren pressure, Falkirk were deserved winners.
Falkirk manager John Hughes came into the match with a depleted first-team squad.
Carl Finnigan missed out through suspension, while Tiago, Graham Barrett, Craig Ireland and John Stewart were all injured.
St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson had only the suspension of Kirk Broadfoot to worry about.
Falkirk's Alan Gow was the first to threaten, coming close with a free-kick that flashed by the post.
It was a fiesty opening period and Hugh Murray picked up his eighth caution of the season after clattering Kenny Milne.
St Mirren were coming into the game and carved out a fine opportunity when David van Zanten played a fine ball across the box, only for Billy Mehmet to head wide.
It was the home side however which took the lead, when Pedro Moutinho spun at the edge of the box and hit a fine 20-yard strike to claim his third goal of the season.
Falkirk were now in the ascendant, and Patrick Cregg was presented with an opportunity with a free-kick form 25 yards which he fired over the bar.
Holden was next to test the St Mirren defence, but his speculative effort was deflected past the post.
The visitors had a rare chance from a direct free kick, but Ian Maxwell's left-footed effort was well blocked by the home defence.
Moutinho came close after mazy run, but Maxwell put in a terrific last ditch tackle to deny the Falkirk hitman.
O'Donnell doubled Falkirk's advantage just before the break when he fired in from close range after Alan Gow's cross had flown over Moutinho.
The visitors almost replied instantly, but Paul Lawson managed to sclaff his shot wide when it seemed easier to score.
The second half followed the pattern of the first, with Falkirk dominant, and Moutinho went close to doubling his goal tally when he rifled in an effort from the edge of the box which was saved by Chris Smith.
 Falkirk's Alan Gow tries to burst past the St Mirren defence |
Gus MacPherson switched to a more attacking formation, but St Mirren were unable to break down a Falkirk side who were well in control of the match. The home side claimed for a penalty when John Potter appeared to handle in the box, but the referee ruled that the contact was accidental.
Substitute Mark Corcoran had a terrific chance to get St Mirren back into the match, but he fired his close-range effort straight at Kasper Schmeichel.
Alan Gow could have made it three for Falkirk from a great cross from Russell Latapy but he couldn't direct the ball past Smith.
St Mirren upped the tempo towards the end and created some half-chances, but Schmeichel was equal to the task.
The last clear chance fell to Liam Craig, whose shot was spilled by Smith as Falkirk comfortably saw the game out.
Falkirk: Schmeichel, Ross, Barr, Milne, Holden (Scobbie 90), Thomson, Cregg, Latapy, O'Donnell (Craig 81), Gow, Moutinho (Roberston 88). Subs Not Used: Lambers, Lima, Mcstay, Uras.
Booked: Gow.
Goals: Moutinho 20, O'Donnell 40.
St Mirren: Smith, van Zanten, Millen, Potter, Maxwell, Murray, Malone (Corcoran 54), Lawson (Molloy 54), Brittain, Kean, Mehmet (Burke 77). Subs Not Used: Hinchcliffe, Reid, Mackay, O'Donnell.
Booked: Murray, Brittain.
Att: 5,863
Ref: D Somers
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Interview: Falkirk manager John Hughes