The visitors held the lead for less than three minutes after Graham Barrett headed home 90 seconds after the restart.

Kevin McBride then handled in the box as Falkirk defended a free-kick and Billy Mehmet stroked home the resulting penalty.

Both sides had spells of superiority, especially the hosts, but their managers were expecting more.

St Mirren boss Gus MacPherson said: "I think a draw was a fair result, I don't think either team did enough to win the game.

"Chances were at a premium and, from my point of view, the final ball wasn't there. At times, it looked hopeful in the final third."

But MacPherson did take heart from Saints' quickfire comeback.

"Maybe last season or a couple of seasons ago, we would have collapsed if we lost a goal at that point," he added.

"So to get a reaction and an equaliser so quickly after conceding was pleasing."

Falkirk manager John Hughes admitted his frustration at giving away a penalty so soon after taking the lead, but he was more disappointed his team again failed to hit top gear.

The Bairns moved back to the bottom of the SPL following Dundee United's triumph over Aberdeen.

Hughes said: "In terms of attitude and commitment, I can't knock them, but we are better than what we showed.

"I don't want to take anything away from St Mirren, they played a right good part in the game and at times were better than us, and you have to earn the right to play.

"But my only frustration is that I have seen what they can do when they really go for it, and we have not quite hit the heights that we hit against QPR in pre-season.

"And if we can hit those heights, anyone in the SPL will know they have been in a game.

"To come away and pick up a point away from home is good, but I am still waiting for my boys to hit those heights."

Meanwhile, MacPherson expressed his frustration at referee Euan Norris's failure to play advantage.

In the second half, Norris blew for a foul on Mehmet despite the fact Jim Hamilton had played the ball through for Andy Dorman, who raced on for a one-on-one with Robert Olejnik.

"It was on three occasions where Andy Dorman is through on the goalkeeper," MacPherson said.

"The third one, I just couldn't understand. I actually thought he had given offside.

"They have now got the licence that they can wait and call the game back. I have not asked for an explanation because it's a waste of time.

"I spoke to him at half-time and he said, 'Yes, I did blow too early'. But it was exactly the same."