Livingston got their first win in the league since October thanks to a Tete Yengi goal deep in first half added time.

Livingston went with four changes from the side that progressed to the quarter final of the Scottish Cup at Firhill a week ago, with the injured Shaun Donnellan and Scott Pittman dropping out with Daniel Mackay and Michael McGovern, replaced by Mo Sangare, David Carson, Andrew Shinnie and Shamal George

The Lions had a lot of defending to do in the early stages but it was the hosts who had the first half chance, the ball send long to Tete Yengi who controlled well before laying to Stephen Kelly who crossed the ball into the box where he found Andrew Shinnie. His header crashed off the post before Zach Hemming collected, had the ball found the net it would have disallowed however due to Yengi straying offside in the build-up.

Kelly turned from provider to almost scorer shortly after. Picking the ball up about the half way line the number 10 had the freedom of Almondvale as he strolled towards goal, unleashing a fierce shot which Hemming cold only parry away to Joel Nouble out far right; with his cross finding Shinnie, his header this time finding the roof of the net.

The Buddies looked to have the chance of the half on 38 minutes. Caolan Boyd-Munce got the ball about 30 yards out and smashed the ball towards the far corner. Shamal George was on hand to make the save which landed right at the feet of James Scott who inexplicably fired over the bar from the six-yard box, the offside flag sparing his blushes.

Just as it looked like it was going to be a goalless first half the hosts struck. A corner from the left found the head of a St Mirren defender, and in an attempt to clear looped the ball high into the air. Finding Ayo Obileye in the box, his fired towards goal through a pile of defenders. Seeing the ball late, Hemming could only parry the ball again but this time to the feet of Yengi, who made no mistake in blasting the ball past the prone Saints keeper.

St Mirren came out with all guns blazing in the second half and were almost gifted an equaliser straight away. A lax pass from Jason Holt found substitute Lewis Jamieson who looked to score with his first touches of the ball, but George threw himself at his feet to make the block. The ball fell to the feet of Mikael Mandron who teed up Greg Kiltie, his strike headed off the line by Michael Nottingham before eventually getting cleared.

With just 15 minutes of the match remaining, the visitors got the chance they were needing. A long ball over the top was initially cleared by Jamie Brandon but only to Scott Tanser, who slid the ball inside to Olusanya. The Englishman beelined towards the byline, looking to get the better of David Carson, and as he shaped up to cross, Carson’s slide tackle caught Olusanya’s left foot. Referee Euan Anderson initially saw nothing wrong with the tackle and waved play on, however he was instructed by VAR to take a second look before pointing to the spot. Mandron stepped up to the penalty however it was tame and easily saved by the legs of George in the Livi goal.

Stephen Kelly almost compounded the penalty save moments later with an incredibly audacious effort. A free kick awarded in the Saint’s half was taken quickly by Hemming who got it all wrong and passed straight to Kelly. With Hemming nowhere near his goal, Kelly clipped the ball towards goal from all of 40 yards, whoever the attempt crept agonisingly past the left post, much to Hemming’s relief.

St Mirren were pushing everything they could towards grabbing an equaliser, and had to thank poor finishing in the end. A tantalising ball from the right by Jamieson found Mandron all alone at the back post, but his toe-poke went the wrong side of the post when it looked easier to score.

With every home fan in the ground desperate for full time, the visitors were awarded a late free kick on the right-hand side of the box. Jamieson hooked the ball left footed into the box which was headed high into the air by Nottingham, forcing George to have to punch clear. That punch only went as far as the penalty spot though where Boyd-Munce was waiting. His shot was mishit but fell to the feet of Mandron who dragged his effort wide of the right post, ending the Buddies hopes of an equaliser, and bringing the Lions to within three points of Ross County at the foot of the Premiership, setting up an incredible clash next week in Dingwall.

Match Report: David Hastie

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