After Saturday's hammering at the hands of Hibs, there were a few changes to the side - most as a result of the virus. Goalkeeper Tony Bullock was missing from the starting lineup, as were Alan Reid and John Potter (although they at least made the bench). Billy Mehmet's injury on Saturday also ruled him out, meaning starts for Mark Corcoran, Garry Brady, Andy Millen and Chris Smith. It was Smudger's first appearance since his nightmare against Dundee United in August, but fortunately he was back to his best today.
The first half was a fairly poor affair, with few chances for both sides. Falkirk seemed to be able to get a few more thanks to some poor decisions by a linesman who was well behind the play. Several times he didn't wave for offside, despite the attacker being miles in front of the defence.
Saints probably had the better of the chances, Corcoran dragging a shot past the post whilst someone else had a header cleared off the line. Falkirk threatened (thanks to winning some dodgy free kicks and corners), but Smith looked confident, whilst Kirk Broadfoot was also looking composed.
Just on half time, Stephen O'Donnell picked up a booking for wiping out Corcoran. Quite why it was only a booking is anyone's guess, considering the two were the only players inside the Falkirk half (apart from the goalkeeper Scott Higgins). Corcoran would have been one on one, so surely it was a goal scoring opportunity?
The bizarre decision making continued in the second half. Corcoran broke clear and was left with just Higgins and a Falkirk defender to beat. The Falkirk player tackled, played the ball back to Higgins, who picked it up. Passback anyone? No, don't be silly. Apparently, you can also be offside if you run past a defender on your way to the ball. Although that's maybe just if your name begins with C and ends with orcoran.
Falkirk were having chances up front, but failed to make them count. The much hyped Anthony Stokes wasted the ones that came his way when he wasn't falling over. Saints did present Falkirk with an excellent chance thanks to some poor decision making around the halfway line. Two Falkirk players were suddenly through on Smith, but they stupidly passed the ball between themselves and were given offside. Fools.
Midway through the half, Saints made the breakthrough. Some neat passing about allowed play to open up for Lappin, who brilliantly curled a shot past the helpless Higgins. It's Lappin's first of the season, and hopefully there's a few more where that one came from.
Falkirk had chances to draw level through stokes, but he curled a free kick over the bar and wasted his others. Kenny Milne decided to take exception to Corcoran's fine performance by booting the Saints player into the advertising hoardings. Referee's decision? Yellow card. Very good sir.
In the final seconds, substitute Tam McManus had a great chance to level things up, but his shot was poor and caused Smith no problems. At the other end, Saints simply ran the clock down by keeping the ball in the corner and not risking anything.
So, a win at last. We're now up to tenth, eight points clear of Dunfermline. Next up is a trip to Rangers, and if we win that one as well than that will surely prove that Santa does exist.