Only a win against Kilmarnock on Saturday will keep Falkirk up

Manager Steven Pressley is "confident" his Falkirk side can get the win they need against Kilmarnock to stay in the Scottish Premier League.

The Bairns' scoreless draw with St Johnstone left them two points behind second-bottom Killie ahead of Saturday's relegation showdown.

"We know what we need to do now and we're confident we can do it," Pressley told BBC Scotland.

"You shouldn't fear the challenge, you should relish it and we'll do that."

Falkirk struggled to break down visitors St Johnstone while Killie came from behind to beat Aberdeen and open up the two-point gap.

"I was really satisfied with the way we went about our business in the first half," Pressley said.

"We had some great fluency to our play, we played very much on the front foot and were unfortunate not to be leading at half-time.

The club was in a similar predicament at this time last year and went to Inverness and won Steven Pressley

"In the second half, St Johnstone came out and upped the tempo a little bit. For a 10 or 15-minute period we found it hard to get a grip of the game but, again, in the last 15 minutes, we carved a number of good opportunities.

"In the end, I was disappointed we didn't win the game but the most important thing was not losing.

"Regardless of us winning the game, if Kilmarnock win at Aberdeen, we still had to go down there and win the game, we knew that in the technical area.

"I know our supporters were wanting changes but we were very much aware of the situation that winning the game made no difference, we still had to go to Rugby Park and win so we decided to keep the shape of the team and in the end we're very satisfied. "

Now the Bairns must mount a second successive last-day survival bid in order to preserve their top flight status.

"We need to win," added Pressley. "The club was in a similar predicament at this time last year and went to Inverness and won.

"I sometimes think these games are easier played away from home.

"Kilmarnock, obviously, will have a good support there, as we will. Sometimes, playing at home, there can be a nervousness about you and hopefully we can take advantage of that.

"I'd have much preferred to be sitting here in a safe position but we have to do it, it's as simple as that."

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