Former Falkirk goalkeeper Mark Howard endured a miserable afternoon as he helped hand the Bairns a convincing victory over St Mirren.

The 21-year-old, who had a successful loan spell at Falkirk during the first half of 2006, was at fault for two second-half goals as John Hughes' side emphatically ended their four-game losing run.

Howard impressed in helping St Mirren into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals with victory at Dundee United in midweek, but he was quickly brought back down to earth.

Scotland Under-21 international Scott Arfield and Irishman Patrick Cregg both profited from Howard's errors on their way to netting doubles from midfield as Falkirk surged back into the top six.

Bur for the visitors it was yet more agony against Falkirk, after losing 5-1 the last time they met at Love Street in December.

The Bairns made just one change to the team which lost out to Rangers last weekend with fit-again Kevin McBride recalled in place of Gerard Aafjes.

St Mirren also made just one alteration from Wednesday's cup win as Stephen McGinn came in for suspended Will Haining.

The Paisley outfit were first to threaten as McGinn struck a 25-yard drive wide.

But the hosts soon settled into their passing game and grabbed the opener after six minutes with their first chance.

Carl Finnigan made room for himself on the right before placing an excellent cross onto the head of Arfield, who impressively nodded home from 10 yards off the underside of the bar.

McGinn had been in the thick of the early action and he came to his side's rescue in the 14th minute when he cleared off the line after Darren Barr had flicked on Pedro Moutinho's corner.

Gus MacPherson's men carved out a superb opportunity to level midway through the half.

Craig Dargo did well to play in the on-rushing Andy Dorman, who bore down on Robert Olejnik's goal before steering a shot just inches wide of the left-hand upright.

Graham Barrett soon tried his luck at the other end, but his long-range free-kick was easily gathered by Howard.

The visitors again threatened on 35 minutes when Billy Mehmet was allowed to run unopposed from midfield and lay the ball off for Dorman on the right, but he waited too long before shooting and sliced wide.

Falkirk were lacking the promptings of manager Hughes from the dug-out as he continued to serve his touchline ban, perhaps explaining some hesitancy in their defence.

However, they finished the opening period the stronger with Barrett angling a shot across Howard and wide.

The Buddies upped the tempo after the interval and Hugh Murray should have done better than blast over when the ball broke to him on the edge of the box.

However, just when they looked capable of equalising, Howard gifted Falkirk two goals in quick succession.

On 58 minutes, Finnigan squared for the unmarked Arfield and his weak shot from 12 yards should have been easily gathered by the former Arsenal trainee.

Instead, Howard let the ball squirm under his body and into the net.

Falkirk could hardly believe their luck and worse followed for the shot-stopper in the 61st minute.

Barr lofted a free-kick into the danger area and Howard raced to the penalty spot where he could only weakly punch clear, allowing Cregg to neatly nod over him and into the vacant goal.

St Mirren fans were already heading for the exits and, as home supporters taunted Howard, Hughes' men scored a memorable fourth.

Cregg burst across the pitch from the right and left defenders in his wake before drilling a 20-yard left-foot strike past the helpless Howard.

That 71st-minute goal ended the contest but Kenny Milne almost added further gloss when he drove upfield and dragged an effort wide.

Howard went some way to redeeming himself late on when he parried away substitute Mark Stewart's fierce close-range strike, but the damage was done.

Teams:

Falkirk Olejnik, Ross, Milne, Scobbie, Barr, McBride, Moutinho (Clarke 60), Cregg, Arfield, Barrett (Bradley 74), Finnigan (Stewert 83).

Subs Not Used: Supple, Latapy, Aafjes, Robertson.

Booked: Barr, McBride, Ross.

Goals: Arfield 6, 58, Cregg 61, 71.

St Mirren Howard, van Zanten, Barron, Potter, Maxwell, McGinn (Hamilton 65), Murray, Dorman (Brady 74), Corcoran, Dargo, Mehmet.

Subs Not Used: Mathers, Kean, Miranda, McCay, Millen.

Booked: Murray, van Zanten.

Att: 5,803

Ref: S Dougal (Scotland).