Miguel Freckleton crashes in a headerSNS

Miguel Freckleton had only scored against clubs from Edinburgh before nodding in against Falkirk

At a glance

  • St Mirren pull Stephen Robinson's Aberdeen into relegation play-off race with surprise win over Falkirk

  • The Buddies' win over top-six candidates comes despite no permanent manager being in place after Robinson's departure

  • Liam Donnelly heads in winner as St Mirren score two set pieces

Falkirk v St Mirren highlights

21/03/26

Watch on iPlayer
Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Managerless St Mirren produced an upset to stun top-six hopefuls Falkirk and boost their chances of Scottish Premiership survival.

As well as ending a dreadful run of form in the league, following a six-game winless streak, they also secured only their second away win of the season. Both have come against Falkirk.

But it was in-form Bairns striker Barney Stewart who had the hosts in front as he capitalised on dilly-dallying in the St Mirren back line to tuck the ball into the bottom corner.

But just three minutes later, St Mirren were level as a completely unmarked Miguel Freckleton headed in an equaliser from six yards out.

John McGlynn's side would feel aggrieved to go in all square, though.

Ben Broggio, who was a creative outlet all afternoon for Falkirk, whipped in a fine ball that found Stewart at the back post, but his header cannoned back off a post.

They would come to regret that miss in the second half, as they were stung by another St Mirren set piece.

Mark O'Hara curled in a fine free-kick from the right and Liam Donnelly rose highest to glance his header into the far corner.

Falkirk's wait for confirmation of their top-six place goes on, but Dundee United must beat Celtic on Sunday to keep that race alive.

At the bottom end, St Mirren are now 12 points clear of Livingston and only three behind ninth-placed Aberdeen.

Analysis: Set-piece gives interim McLeish first win

Falkirk fans might feel rightly aggrieved by this result, but in a proper scrap it was St Mirren who proved more clinical.

They enjoyed more possession, created a higher expected goals (xG), got into the St Mirren box more, and generally played more eye-catching stuff.

But they missed big chances - Stewart hitting the post, Dylan Tait placing one wide, Filip Lissah taking a big touch in the box.

And although Stewart scored, he also has to get used to the life of a form striker. Five goals in his last four games now, with plenty debating whether he should be part of the senior Scotland squad.

But he was not left alone all afternoon by the St Mirren defence, mainly Freckleton. They pestered him, and fouled him plenty, but instead of feeding the Falkirk striker, it seemed to just frustrate him.

As for the managerless visitors, they tried to change up their direct style that they were famed for under Robinson, but it was almost their undoing.

The Falkirk goal only came from Freckleton's indecision at the back, and they don't look used to trying to play out from defence. Instead, the goals both came from set pieces.

A first win, then, for interim manager Craig McLeish. He claimed through the week that his time in charge has whetted his appetite for the permanent role. This victory will only add to his hunger.

What they said

Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "Good start, they make an error in defence and Barney's finish is really good, exactly where you want him to put the ball. I've seen them missed.

"But we didn't keep the lead for very long, we don't defend the set play particularly well. We give St Mirren some encouragement."

St Mirren interim manager Craig McLeish: "Massive for us, delighted for the boys and the group. We needed this today - a hard fought win against a Falkirk side who're having a incredible season, and I hope they get over the line.

"We needed something to spark a bit of confidence and momentum. We were behind in the game, and that's my responsibility. I asked them to take more risks and we make a mistake.

"But how we respond to that is fantastic. I know it's two goals from set plays - we'd like to create more in the final third and I'd like us to try and play more when we're under pressure."

What's next?

Falkirk visit Motherwell next Saturday (15:00 GMT) hoping their top six place has been secured by results elsewhere, while St Mirren host Aberdeen at the same time as Robinson returns.

Player of the match

A. Gogić
8.10
16 B. Stewart
6.53
11 B. Broggio
6.00
19 S. Bain
5.92
17 H. Cartwright
5.56
28 F. Lissah
5.54
23 E. Ross
5.40
15 L. Neilson
5.31
3 L. McCann
5.23
29 C. Miller
5.23
8 B. Spencer
5.17
6 C. Donaldson
5.13
7 B. Graham
5.11
21 D. Tait
5.00
14 F. Yeats
5.00
18 G. Oliver
4.89
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