Killian Phillips scored in each half to reward a terrific St Mirren away display with a 2-0 opening-weekend win at Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership.

Saints struggled last season in the league, only avoiding relegation via a play-off against Partick.

However, they did prevail twice at Falkirk Stadium in 2025/26 and the venue proved a happy hunting ground once again.

Craig McLeish's side, among the bookies' favourites to finish bottom, should have enjoyed a greater margin of victory than 2-0.

Multiple chances were missed and a scare was served up by Bairns substitute Ben Parkinson when he appeared to level after 71 minutes.

However, VAR intervened to chalk the goal off and Phillips went on to complete his double.

Falkirk boss John McGlynn's challenge was to atone for the departures of Dylan Tait, Calvin Miller and Barney Stewart, while they were also hampered by captain Brad Spencer's suspension.

Despite that, the hosts were first to threaten in the fifth minute with Jack McMillan going close on the half volley, teed up by a great turn and pass from Ethan Laidlaw.

St Mirren play more on the deck under McLeish than predecessor Stephen Robinson. Yet with the passing accuracy of Samuel Ramos, going long almost paid dividends after nine minutes when the Spaniard found Phillips in behind and the Irishman forced Scott Bain into a smart stop.

Ramos helped pave the way to the visitors seizing an 11th minute lead, though. He picked out Chris Mochrie from deep, who in turn found Henry Fieldson wide on the left.

Fieldson wasted no time delivering an early ball to the near post to Phillips, who beat Deniss Melniks to stick out a leg and divert a close-range finish past Bain.

A superb save from Bain, starting for the first time since April, on the stroke of half-time denied

Phillips after superb work down the right from Eseosa Sule and Jayden Richardson.

Sule was presented with two huge chances early in the second half but he was unable to find a tap-in touch when Fieldson fizzed across goal.

And before his 62nd-minute withdrawal, the 20-year-old was gifted another opportunity by a stray Melniks pass. However, Bain saved and the rebound, agonisingly for Saints, evaded Phillips.

Saints feared that wasteful effort was back to haunt them when Falkirk netted with Parkinson's first touch.

However, the knockdown from Melniks, as he met Ryan Strain's set-piece, came off the defender's arm and, after a trip to the VAR monitor, referee Duncan Nicholson ruled out the opportunity.

Falkirk continued to pile forward, only for Saints to catch them on the break and clinch three points after 87 minutes.

Roland Idowu sprinted clear and the relentless Phillips followed, taking a pass in his stride and scoring with the aid of a deflection through the legs of Falkirk defender Leon McCann.

What's next for both clubs?