Most strikers are desperate for the next game after missing a glorious chance - but Falkirk's Mark Stewart was glad of the two-week respite following his sitter against Motherwell.

Stewart used the international break to build up his fitness after missing pre-season training with a groin problem.

While the 21-year-old had no excuses for heading over an open goal from six yards in the 1-0 defeat at Fir Park, he knew he had to get up to speed to be in contention for his first start of the season against St Mirren on Saturday.

"I don't think fitness levels are an excuse for that miss," he said.

"It was hard to watch but I suppose these are the things you're going to need to deal with in your career.

"If anything, they just make you stronger and more determined that the next time a chance comes like that you're going to put it in the net.

"It was just a freak and it happened to me, so I've got to get on with it and make sure it doesn't happen again.

"You want to get straight back on the pitch and get another chance, but I've managed to get a good two weeks' training under my belt and I feel I've benefited from the break."

Stewart signed a contract extension that keeps him at Falkirk until 2011 soon after Eddie May took charge in June, and he is keen to finally be able to produce his best form for his manager.

"Last week we had a right good hard week, and I really needed it," the former Partick Thistle player said.

"It's been very frustrating, missing a full pre-season. And obviously we don't have a reserve league so it has been hard to build up match fitness.

"But the gaffer has been good enough to give me run-outs from the bench even though I was lacking match fitness and I've gradually built my fitness up.

"I struggled at first to get up to the pace of the game but I feel as if I'm building back up to a reasonable level."

Stewart has been far from the only culprit in front of goal for Falkirk during their five-game barren run.

But, as Falkirk aim for their first Clydesdale Bank Premier League win during St Mirren's visit, Stewart is sure the goals will come.

"There has been a lot of attention put on the fact we're not scoring goals, but some of the performances have been really good," he said.

"The ball just won't go in the net, but I suppose this is a stage that maybe every team does go through.

"I've every confidence that it's going to fall right for us eventually."