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A stunning late goal from Falkirk substitute Ryan Blair denied St Mirren a winning farewell to the Championship, but Buddies boss Jack Ross refused to dwell on an anti-climactic end to an outstanding season.

The Paisley club has won just one of its last five games, and yesterday’s defeat was their second loss to Falkirk in 11 days, yet Saints still finished the season 12 points clear of runners-up Livingston, and Ross is already planning ahead. “Nothing can take away from what we’ve achieved this season,” he said.

“The planning process for next season is already well underway after we clinched the title a couple of weeks ago.

“This squad was built to win promotion, but now we need to prepare for the new challenges next season in the Premier League.”

Full-back Stelios Demetriou went close early on for the visitors, while Gavin Reilly and Player of the Season Lewis Morgan both brought the best out of home keeper Robbie Mutch, but Saints understandably lacked the edge that propelled them to the title.

Yesterday was Falkirk’s third straight win after Blair struck in the 85th minute, just two minutes after coming off the bench to replace Sean Welsh. The Glasgow-born midfielder is on loan from Swansea and broke the deadlock with a left-foot drive from outside the penalty box.

The result leaves Bairns manager Paul Hartley in a similar position to Ross 12 months ago, having avoided relegation thanks to a storming run since Christmas.

“It was a nice way to sign off,” said Hartley.

“We couldn’t climb any higher than eighth place, but we wanted to sign off with a win in front of our home crowd. It was a sweet strike of from Ryan to win the game. “We have to make changes to give ourselves a chance of winning promotion next season. That’s my job now.”