It was heartbreak for Falkirk Women as the last kick of the ball meant the points were shared in the first home game of the season.
It was a quiet opening 10 minutes as both sides took time to settle into the game.
Falkirk took the first chance of the match as a ball from Ceri Thomas eventually reached the feet of Emma Lawson in the box, but her effort was comfortably saved by Megan Sidey.
Lawson soon found herself with another chance at goal after Anna Dickov played an excellent ball for her to run onto. Lawson was then one on one with Sidey in goals; who collected the shot.
The home side had the ball in the back of the net 20 minutes in, however the offside flag went up and the goal didn’t stand.
For much of the first half the game was contained within the midfield, however whilst under attack Falkirk’s Rowan Eadie had a great clearance to keep the scoreline at 0-0.
Back in Falkirk’s attacking half, Amy Lynch played the ball to Mhari Smith who won a free kick after being brought down on the edge of the box. This set play was taken short by Lynch to Maisy Stewart who fired the ball into the hands of the keeper.
Nearing half-time, Lawson and Dickov moved up the park, with Dickov eventually winning Falkirk another free kick. Lynch stood over the ball, but her effort soared over the crossbar.
It remained 0-0 into the break, with it all to play for in the second half.
Falkirk were back on the attack in the second half, with Lawson running down the left side, cutting in towards goal. She then played a fantastic ball into the path of Olivia Murphy who tapped it into the bottom corner giving Falkirk the lead just before the hour mark.
75 minutes in, St Johnstone were looking for an equaliser with a shot that glanced the crossbar.
Falkirk nearly extended their lead as the ball found the back of the net following a super ball across the face of goal by Lawson which reached Neillie at the back post, however it was ruled offside.
The girls created plenty of chances to go 2-0 up in the second half however no one seemed to find the finish that could put the game to bed.
Into added time and St Johnstone were awarded a penalty. It was heartbreak for Falkirk when Elvie McLean slid the ball past Charlotte Ferguson, getting the equaliser with the last kick of the ball.
It finished 1-1 at The Falkirk Stadium, meaning for the second week in a row Falkirk shared the points.
Up next it is another home game as Falkirk welcome Livingston on Sunday 30th of August, where the girls still seek their first three points of the season.
FALKIRK XI: Ferguson, Thomas, Smith, O Murphy, Lawson, Lynch ©, Eadie, Dickov, Stewart, J Murphy, Armstrong.
SUBS: McCroary, Ross, Murray, Townsend, Neillie, Hegarty, Bryce, McArthur, Janowiec.
ST JOHNSTONE XI: Sidey, Telford, Brady, Burns, McLean, Moodie ©, Livie, McMillan, Smith, Wilson, Parrish.
SUBS: Gates, MacIver, Clark, Malcolm, Taplin, Smith, Shanks, Tomb.
Match Report by Connie Inglis
Cover Image by Cris Kallus
