Livingston rescued a late point to continue their end of season unbeaten run thanks to a 90th minute Jack Fitzwater equaliser.

It was the visitors who created the first opportunity of the game, and it was a glorious one at that. Sloppy defending from Ayo Obileye merely 30 seconds after the match had started presented Melker Hallberg with a crossing opportunity. His low delivery was met by Callum Hendry, but he fired just over the bar much to the relief of Obileye and his teammates.

Livingston created the next chance of the match. A short free-kick found Andrew Shinnie who slipped in Joel Nouble. The striker created a half yard for himself but couldn’t find the target with his strike after a good last ditched tackle from Jamie McCart.

St Johnstone had a penalty claim moments later as Stevie May went down under challenge from Ayo Obileye, but the referee rightly waved away the striker’s protests after he had made the most of it.

Into the second half, and Livingston should’ve taken the lead through the best chance of the game so far. Obileye’s long ball forward was perfectly weighted over the top of the St Johnstone defence, and set Odin Bailey through on goal. The winger let the ball drop and fired towards goal, but Zander Clark was victorious in the one on one battle as he stood tall to beat away the finish.

Hendry was next to try his luck after he was found by May inside the box, but the striker’s effort was tame and held comfortably by Ivan Konovalov. Alan Forrest then came close with his trademark cut inside and strike, but his shot flew just wide of the post.

On 76 minutes, the deadlock was finally broken as St Johnstone took the lead. Some great work from Shaun Rooney saw him switch the play to James Brown on the left wing. The full back cut inside on his right foot and sent in a wonderful delivery to the back post, and there was Glenn Middleton unmarked to head home from close range.

It looked like it was going to be another one of those days against Callum Davidson’s side, who seemed to have the Lions’ number on several occasions with the ability to see out victories in tight encounters much like the one a month prior. However, Jack Fitzwater had other ideas!

Forrest and Holt combined from a short free-kick before the latter sent in a pinpoint delivery to the front post. Scott Pittman of all people leapt up and sent a fantastic header towards goal. Clark made a terrific save to deny the midfielder, but the rebound fell kindly to Fitzwater who rescued a point for Livingston, extending their unbeaten run to four matches.

Match Report: Calum Brown

Livingston: Konovalov; Devlin, Obileye, Fitzwater, Boyes; Kelly (Soto 80), Holt, Pittman, Bailey (Forrest 64), Nouble, Shinnie ▊ (Chukwuemeka 77)
Subs not used: Maley, Longridge, Sibbald, Montano, Lewis, McMillan
Goals: Fitzwater (90)

St Johnstone: Clark, Cleary, Gordon, McCart, Rooney, Booth (Brown 58), Davidson ▊, Hallberg, May (Middleton 69), Hendry ▊, MacPherson
Subs not used: Parish, Crawford, Mahon, Blair, Ciftci, Butterfield, Sang
Goals: Middleton (76)

Referee: Euan Anderson
HT: 0-0
Att: 1,499

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