Former Falkirk players Liam Craig and Kenny Deuchar came back to haunt their old club as St Johnstone claimed a precious 2-1 comeback victory at Westfield to leave the Bairns marooned at the foot of the table.
Deuchar profited from a dreadful mistake from Tam Scobbie to lob home six minutes from time.
Marc Twaddle had earlier given Falkirk the lead from close range after errors from goalkeeper Graeme Smith but Saints top scorer Craig netted just before half-time after Brian McLean was controversially adjudged to have handled before Deuchar claimed the win.
It was a tight contest but Falkirk should have done better when Jody Morris gave away possession, allowing Pedro Moutinho to break clear only for Vitor Lima to slash wide.
But it was not long before Falkirk were handed the opening goal. Goalkeeper Smith first needlessly raced out to the far side as he attempted to beat Ryan Flynn to the ball.
But Smith did not get enough on his initial challenge and was forced to bring the former Liverpool youth player down, earning himself a yellow card. Worse soon followed for the keeper as he missed Moutinho's free-kick and Twaddle was on hand to knock home from a yard out on 27 minutes.
The setback fired up the visitors and Steven Milne, Chris Millar and Murray Davidson all had quick headed attempts, the best from Millar which forced Robert Olejnik into a point-blank save.
Saints grabbed a timely penalty equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Danny Grainger's high ball to the back post picked out Deuchar whose header back struck McLean's hand, prompting referee Stevie O'Reilly to point to the spot despite strong home protests. Craig neatly tucked home his ninth goal of the season.
McLean almost made up for the penalty concession four minutes after the break. The defender's flick-on from Moutinho's corner looked net-bound until Michael Duberry blocked. In reply, Murray Davidson fired narrowly past with Olejnik sprawling.
The visitors took the points with an 84th-minute winner. Thomas Scobbie completely misjudged a long kick forward, allowing Deuchar to lob over Olejnik for a vital away success.
Copyright (C) PA Sport 2012.
