Saints first chance came when Ricky Gillies was clean through and should have scored. He should have hammered it, instead he tried chipping the keeper. He failed. Miserably. Ah well.
Falkirk had a stunning effort in the first half through ex Saint Scott MacKenzie(!) whose shot from distance deflected away for a corner. When did he learn he could do that?
Saints best spell of the first half came when we had a string of corners. The first was tipped away for another corner, the second headed away for another corner and the third saw crosses and the like flying everywhere before Annand headed wide from distance. Great stuff.
David van Zanten decided he was John O'Shea right on half time when he charged forward before forcing the Falkirk keeper to make a good save.
Half time, 0-0, and a great performance. Totally different team, despite only two new players.
John O'Neil decided it would be a good idea to spit at someone in the second half. Fortunately it was Falkirk's John O'Neil and not our own. He ran past Andy Millen and spat at him right in front of the referee. Not usually a good idea that. Apparently he elbowed Millen as well. Enjoy your SFA hearing John!
Ten men against a decent Saints side at home. Bollocks, we're going to lose, it's so obvious. Except we didn't struggle.
SImon Lappin, who was rank, took a quick throw in to Hugh Murray who crossed into the box. Home debutant Mixu Paatelainen met the ball in the middle with a stunning header, and celebrated with his customary cartwheel. Saints leading Falkirk? Good grief, whats happening?
Craig Hinchcliffe tried to make things interesting by shoving a Falkirk player a minute later. Muppet. But the points were safe ten minutes from time when Laurie Ellis, who replaced Lappin, crossed brilliantly for Allan Russell, who replaced Annand, to head easily past the Falkirk keeper. 2-0, easy.
Except Falkirk then decided to play, and it was only down to Hinchcliffe's brilliance that we didn't concede a goal. He was superb for the last ten minutes, really earned his wages.
Falkirk were poor, rarely threatening, certainly not as much as Saints. They have a lot to do if they want to wion the league. Saints? I'll be happy to see us finish mid table.
Standouts were Mixu, Hinchy, Mark Reilly, Hugh Murray and, surprisingly, captain Kevin McGowne. Captain Chaos seems to be heading for death. Not good!
We're second in the league and you're no :-)