Match ends, St. Johnstone 3, Falkirk 0.
Two Danny Swanson penalties in a remarkable first half helped St Johnstone to victory over Falkirk.
The home side were awarded three spot kicks in that first period, the first of which from Liam Craig was saved by Danny Rogers.
But Swanson was more clinical as Tommy Wright's side made it two wins from two in the League Cup, leaving Falkirk with just three points from three games.
Joe Shaughnessy scored from close range in the second half to kill Falkirk off.
The visiting side were stunned by referee Bobby Madden's decision to award Saints those three crucial first-half decisions, venting their anger at half-time.
There was little doubt about the first award as Swanson was brought down by Tom Taiwo just inside the penalty area.
But Rogers guessed correctly and pushed Craig's tamely-hit effort away to his right.
Paul Watson was then penalised for grappling with Shaughnessy as a Craig corner was swept into the box and this time Swanson took responsibility.
Rogers was a little unfortunate not to make a second stop as he got a hand to Swanson's shot, but it had too much power and Saints had a deserved lead.
Falkirk's bemusement turned to fury when Madden pointed to the spot again seven minutes before the break, with Luke Leahy pulling the jersey of Graham Cummins.
Swanson gave the keeper no chance on this occasion as he hammered the ball to his right and into the net.
Falkirk had new signing John Rankin in their midfield and he unleashed a trademark long-range strike, which brought Alan Mannus into action for the first time, the keeper tipping the ball round the post.
And Shaughnessy ensured there would be no way back for Peter Houston's team when he tapped over the line from a yard out after Cummins had headed goalwards.
Line-ups
St Johnstone
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Mannus
- 14Shaughnessy
- 6Anderson
- 3Scobbie
- 24Easton
- 4AlstonSubstituted forPatonat 74'minutes
- 7Millar
- 26Craig
- 11SwansonSubstituted forCoulsonat 71'minutes
- 29CumminsSubstituted forKaneat 70'minutes
- 9MacLean
Substitutes
- 12Clark
- 15McKay
- 17Coulson
- 18Paton
- 25Kane
- 27Thomson
- 39Comrie
Falkirk
Formation 4-5-1
- 1Rogers
- 4Muirhead
- 44WatsonBooked at 24mins
- 15Gasparotto
- 3Leahy
- 28Craigen
- 8Kerr
- 6Rankin
- 7TaiwoSubstituted forAustinat 45'minutes
- 10Sibbald
- 9BairdSubstituted forMcHughat 70'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Kidd
- 5McCracken
- 11Hippolyte
- 16Austin
- 18Miller
- 19McHugh
- 58Mehmet
- Referee:
- Bobby Madden
- Attendance:
- 2,725
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home53%
- Away47%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away3
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away1
- Corners
- Home9
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, St. Johnstone 3, Falkirk 0.
Post update
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Danny Rogers.
Post update
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by John Rankin.
Post update
Corner, Falkirk. Conceded by Joe Shaughnessy.
Post update
Attempt missed. Michael Coulson (St. Johnstone) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Post update
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Luca Gasparotto.
Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Paul Paton replaces Blair Alston.
Post update
Attempt saved. Craig Sibbald (Falkirk) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Michael Coulson replaces Danny Swanson.
Substitution
Substitution, Falkirk. Robert McHugh replaces John Baird.
Substitution
Substitution, St. Johnstone. Christopher Kane replaces Graham Cummins.
Goal!
Goal! St. Johnstone 3, Falkirk 0. Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone) header from a difficult angle on the right to the centre of the goal following a corner.
Post update
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by John Rankin.
Post update
Corner, St. Johnstone. Conceded by Paul Watson.
Post update
Foul by Steven MacLean (St. Johnstone).
Post update
Craig Sibbald (Falkirk) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Attempt missed. James Craigen (Falkirk) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Corner, Falkirk. Conceded by Alan Mannus.
Second Half
Second Half begins St. Johnstone 2, Falkirk 0.