Runners-up spot now Falkirk’s to lose
FALKIRK will travel to Easter Road on Tuesday acutely aware that second spot in the Championship is within their grasp after taking advantage of Hibernian’s latest travails in dramatic fashion.
Peter Houston’s side nosed in front on two separate occasions against St Mirren, through Lee Miller and Bob McHugh, only for Stevie Mallan — enhancing his reputation with each passing week — to restore parity each time.
However, Blair Alston secured a pivotal triumph in the 90th minute when he met a low cross from the excellent Miller to prod home the winner from close-range and send the Falkirk Stadium wild.
And that atmosphere was only enhanced moments later when Hibs’ defeat at Alloa was confirmed. Falkirk now boast a sixpoint lead over their nearest rivals ahead of their trip to Leith, with a superior goal difference of eight. Even with Hibs having two games in hand, the runners-up spot is now the Bairns’ to lose.
‘The result from Alloa certainly does us no harm,’ smiled Houston. ‘I think I heard the Hibs assistant (John Doolan) say they’ll finish easily in second. Well, I’m glad we’re making it tough for them.’
It took just nine minutes for Miller to score. He ghosted in to head home at the back post after a Myles Hippolyte cross was inadvertently flicked on by Saints defender Jack Baird.
The mercurial Mallan restored parity following the interval, capping a lively start to the second half from the Buddies as he whipped a trademark freekick beyond Danny Rogers from the edge of the box.
Houston replaced John Baird with McHugh and the former Motherwell youngster excelled in the role of supersub, just as he did against Rangers last month, scrambling home from close range.
Mallan levelled matters again, converting a low Lewis Morgan cross but, showing admirable character, Alston netted in the dying embers following excellent work from Miller.
‘I was delighted with the spirit and the manner we competed in the second half,’ said St Mirren boss Alex Rae. ‘But undoubtedly we could have defended the third goal better.’