Livingston would be made to rue missed chances as they had to settle for a draw in Perth. Andrew Shinnie opened the scoring for the Lions before a late Nicky Clark header stole a draw for the home side.

David Martindale opted again for three changes to the side defeated by Motherwell midweek, with Cristian Montano, Michael Devlin and Andrew Shinnie replacing Jamie Brandon, Joel Nouble and Bruce Anderson.

The game started with both teams appearing very sheepish with neither wanting to make any mistakes to have the deadlock broken. Despite this it was the Lions who had the better of the ball, although there was no real test for either keeper until the 30 minute mark.

A late tackle on Dan Mackay saw Luke Robinson booked and a free kick awarded on the right side of the box. Taken by Sean Kelly, the ball was clipped to the near post where a Livi head was to flick it across the goal. It then took a brave bit of defending to prevent Ayo Obileye getting on the end of it and tap into an empty net.

The first half was a tired looking affair punctuated with injuries, but seven minutes to the half and Livi would find themselves in front. Another Sean Kelly corner was whipped in to the penalty spot where skipper Michael Devlin was on hand to nod towards goal. Andrew Shinnie, standing on the six yard line then hooked the ball over his head and into the net to give the Lions the lead into half time.

The Saints were almost level with the last action of the first half. A defensive mix up between Obileye and David Carson allowed the hosts to break. Finding space on the edge of the box, Robinson found Matt Smith on the left, his cross to Nicky Clark allowed the veteran striker to power a header on target, however this was straight into the hands of George.

Whilst the first half may have been a damp squib, the second half kicked off a much more frantic affair. An enforced change saw Devlin go off for Kurtis Guthrie and the extra body had Livi looking dangerous. A free kick to the left centre of the box was played into the area only to be cleared. Mackay was waiting for this and unleashed a stinging strike which keeper Dimitar Mitov could only parry right into the path of Obileye. Feeling the angle too tight he opted to pass to Montano on the edge of the box, his shot taken a bit more comfortably by Mitov.

St Johnstone were pressing themselves and searching for an equaliser. A good ball forward found Sven Sprangler who perhaps had the opportunity to strike on the half volley towards goal however opted instead to pass to David Keltjens. His cross was just over Stevie May’s head and forced Michael Nottingham to head behind for a corner, which was punched clear by George.

Livi had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 with 77 minutes on the clock. A ball played through for Guthrie found him one-on-one with Mitov. Running about 20 yards he appeared to go wider rather than cut inside, and with the angles against him slid the ball past the far post.

With Livi looking to see out the match St Johnstone looked to push on for the equaliser. Pressing forward they got a huge chance with seven minutes to go. A ball played over the defence fell kindly to Adama Sidibeh, who rushed forward into the box, flanked by two Livi defenders. George was quick out to meet him and saved brilliantly allowing Livi to clear. It wasn’t very far though and the Saints continued their pressure, eventually falling to May on the edge of the box, his strike high over the bar.

And four minutes from time, the Saints found the leveller. Huge pressure on the Livi back line eventually paid off, with ball cross to Nicky Clark from the left who made no mistake in nodding the ball back across the keeper and into the net.

It was a huge sucker punch for the Lions who had played the better of the football and had the better of the chances, however were unable to capitalise on this. St Johnstone with a second wind were throwing everything forward as the game again opened up as both team chased a winner.

Suddenly Livi were throwing everything they could at the St Johnstone defence, with crosses raining into the box however they were unable to connect with anyone in black.

A free kick awarded in the dying seconds allowed Sean Kelly to deliver from 30 yards, his cross was straight to Mitov in the Saints goal though. This allowed St Johnstone to break down the other way however this was also to nothing.

And with the last attack of the game, Livi should have won it. A long high ball was looking for all intents and purposes to be dealt with by McGowan, however Yengi nicked in behind his fellow Australian. One on one and all alone in the box, you would have put your house on the inform striker to bury the chance, however he opted instead to touch left to Holt, who blasted the ball over the bar, and resigning Livi to the draw.

Match Report: David Hastie

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