Falkirk defender Steven Pressley will miss the club's relegation decider against Inverness after an appeal against his red card against St Mirren failed.

Referee Craig Boyle has declared himself content with his decision to send off the Scotland coach following an aerial clash with Billy Mehmet.

Mehmet needed four stitches in a facial wound after a late challenge by the former Celtic and Hearts defender.

Falkirk believed that, although Pressley led with his arm, the contact was made by his head and the centre-back would be cleared.

But a Scottish Football Association statement read: "Having reviewed the circumstances of the player's sending off, the referee indicated that he is content with his decision and, in accordance with the disciplinary procedures, the claim is dismissed automatically."

Pressley will miss Falkirk's trip to Inverness on Saturday, where the visitors must win to stay in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The news will come as a huge blow to Bairns manager John Hughes, who was optimistic that the dismissal would be overturned.

Hughes said after the game on Saturday: "I would like to think I will have Steven Pressley with me at Inverness next week.

"I went to the referee's room after the game and he said Steven used an elbow.

"But if he looks at the television evidence, it was a clash of heads - it was plain to see."

As well as the automatic one-game suspension, Pressley will also miss the first match of next season after the red card took him past the 18-point disciplinary threshold.