A Stewart Kean penalty and a Garry Brady strike increased the gap over bottom side Dunfermline to four points with four games remaining and the two sides will meet in a crunch game at Love Street next Monday.

To add to Falkirk’s night, defender Karl Dodd was shown a straight red card in 62 minutes after a lunge at Paisley stopper John Potter.

In the 86th minute Jack Ross’s poor attempt from 10 yards allowed Smith to gather easily and with that miss went any chance of a comeback.

St Mirren can now turn their attention to the relegation battle with Dunfermline next Monday knowing victory should all but secure their SPL status for another season.