A stunning set-piece strike from Enes Alic in the sixth minute of stoppage time secured a dramatic 1-1 draw for 10-man St Johnstone against Falkirk.<\/p>\n
Falkirk took advantage of Cheick Diabate’s 54th-minute red card to seize the lead through Ethan Ross on the hour.<\/p>\n
And they looked sure to secure back-to-back William Hill Premiership wins until Taylor Steven won a late free-kick.<\/p>\n
It was going to take something spectacular to beat Scott Bain, who had produced three fine saves for Falkirk.<\/p>\n
But that is precisely what the Bosnian produced from 25 yards as he found the top corner to move Simo Valakari’s side up to sixth place.<\/p>\n
![\"Alic](\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-scotland-football_7356705.jpg?20260919210233\")
\n <\/div>\n Alic (R) celebrates scoring to make it 1-1
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
McDiarmid Park’s East Stand was shut because of an electrical fault, forcing many home fans into the Geoff Brown and North Stands.<\/p>\n
After a pre-match pledge to add goals to his improving game, St Johnstone winger Steven was twice foiled by Bain.<\/p>\n
Reece McAlear’s terrific ball over the top in the 19th minute found Josh Fowler and his deep cross picked out Steven, whose left-footed drive was met by a strong hand by the Scotland ‘keeper as he tipped it over.<\/p>\n
Saints struggled against the wind in the first half but McAlear judged his through-ball for Steven to perfection 15 minutes later, only for Bain to top his earlier stop by forcing Steven’s shot on to the crossbar and away from danger.<\/p>\n
Falkirk finished the first period the stronger side without greatly troubling Saints goalkeeper Toby Steward.<\/p>\n
The on-loan Portsmouth ‘keeper gathered efforts from Ryan Strain and Ross.<\/p>\n
The best visiting chance came from a classy spin then pass from Ben Krauhaus splitting the Saints defence to send Jacob Murrell clear on Stewart, but he could not keep his shot down.<\/p>\n
Diabate, booked in first-half stoppage time for a trip on Ross, dragged down the same player nine minutes into the second period and referee Calum Scott showed the former Exeter centre-back a second yellow card.<\/p>\n
Valakari took off Josh Campbell to bring another defender, Daniel Finlayson, on.<\/p>\n
But Falkirk had space to play with and that task was right up their street.<\/p>\n
Owen Eames was sent speeding down the inside left channel and his clever cutback reached Ross on the edge of the box and he steered a superb first-time shot low into the far corner beyond Steward’s reach.<\/p>\n
![\"Falkirk's](\"https:\/\/e0.365dm.com\/26\/09\/768x432\/skysports-scotland-football_7356706.jpg?20260919210404\")
\n <\/div>\n Falkirk’s Owen Eames takes a shot
\n <\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
That was the forward’s first goal since the opening day of last season’s Premiership campaign.<\/p>\n
More inspired goalkeeping by Bain prevented substitute Ruari Paton from responding on the volley with 20 minutes to play.<\/p>\n
The comeback bid appeared to have been hampered by a further defensive injury as Zach Mitchell was forced off.<\/p>\n
Saints finished with a back three marshalled by Finlayson and refused to fold before conjuring a late leveller through Alic’s moment of brilliance.<\/p>\n
What the result means and next fixtures…<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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