TOM Walsh fired in a fantastic late goal to rescue a point for St Mirren against Falkirk at the Paisley 2021 Stadium on Saturday night.

Craig Sibbald’s deflected free kick early in the first half put the Bairns 1-0 up. The visitors had the better of the game and several chances to double their lead, but substitute Walsh struck his fourth goal of the season in the 87th minute to prevent another demoralising defeat for the Buddies.

There was one change from Saints caretaker Allan McManus from the defeat at Dunfermline. Jamie Langfield returned in goals, Scott Gallacher dropped to the bench.

After a fairly even first 10 minutes, the Bairns took the lead with the first shot on target. Craig Sibbald won a free kick on the right 22 yards from goal. The midfielder took it himself and a fairly innocuous strike took a big deflection on its way to goal and left Langfield helpless.

Saints played like a team sapped of all confidence in the early stages. They couldn't lay a glove on the away side. After 24 minutes a neat one-two between John Baird and Bob McHugh on the edge of the box gave Baird a shooting chance from 18 yards, but the prolific striker dragged it wide as Falkirk threatened to turn the heat up.

The Buddies first clear chance came just after the half hour mark. A long ball from right back by Jason Naismith caught Falkirk napping and Ryan Hardie looked to have a clear sight at goal after the ball bounced, but instead of shooting first time he tried to flick it over Luca Gasparotto, he got his touch horribly wrong and the danger was easily cleared.

The on-loan Rangers striker had another chance on the stroke of half-time. A Stevie Mallan free kick from the left to the back post was headed back towards the penalty spot by Gary MacKenzie, Hardie was free, took a touch to control before blazing the ball over the bar.

The second half started with Falkirk taking the impetus once again and they soon had the ball in the net when McHugh converted a misplaced shot from Baird but the linesman's flag rescued St Mirren.

The home side fashioned a sight at goal when Sutton cushioned a header down for the on rushing Quinn. On the turn the midfielder couldn't keep his balance and his shot was easily gathered by Bairns goalkeeper Danny Rogers.

Just after the hour Walsh replaced Quinn as McManus went with two up front in a bid to rescue something from the game.

Falkirk nearly wrapped up the win in the 82nd minute. The impressive Baird showed Gary Irvine a clean pair of heels on the right before picking out substitute James Craigen at the back post with a lovely clipped cross, his header had the power but not the direction to beat Langfield.

Just when it looked set to be another depressing Saturday night for the Saints faithful, Walsh had other ideas. He took possession in midfield before evading a challenge and taking a strike on from fully 22 yards on his weaker left foot into the bottom corner and the Paisley 2021 Stadium erupted.

The pressure seemed to lift from the home players' shoulders as they piled on the pressure in the closing stages, strikes from Morgan and Mallan went close but they couldn’t find a winner.

St Mirren: Langfield, Naismith, Baird, MacKenzie, Irvine, Hutton (Clarkson, 86), Quinn (Walsh, 62), Hardie, Mallan, Morgan, Sutton.

Subs not used: Gallacher, Shankland, McDonald, Whyte.

Falkirk: Rogers, Kidd, Leahy, McCracken, Gasparotto, Rankin, Taiwo (Miller, 65) Kerr, Sibbald (Hippollyte, 76), Baird, McHugh (Craigen, 65).

Subs not used: Mehmet, Austin, Shepherd, Watson.

Attendance: 2, 334