Livingston recorded their first win since August following a monumental second half performance in the Paisley sun. An Alex Gogić own goal and Scott Pittman strike secured the three points and allowed Livi fans to continue their fight for survival in the Premiership.

Marvin Bartley made two changes to the side that lost late to Dundee United prior to the split – with Cammy Kerr and Cristian Montano dropping to the bench, replaced by Ryan McGowan and Brooklyn Kabongolo.

The hosts were aggressive in their play and dominant in the early stages looking for a good start however were unable to trouble Jerome Prior with Kabongolo, McGowan and Danny Wilson soaking up the early pressure.

The resolute defending set up a good attack for the Lions on eight minutes. Lewis Smith picked up the ball just inside the St Mirren half and pressed forward before finding Joel Nouble on the left. Driving inside and beating Alex Gogic, the number 7 curled a great effort which looked destined for the top corner, but for some great goalkeeping from debutant Ross Sinclair in the Buddies goal. He had to be sharp from the resulting corner to keep out Kabongolo’s header to the far post and keep the scores level.

12 minutes in and St Mirren had a huge couple of chances to take the lead. Declan John ran on to a long ball and dribbled the whole of the Livingston half with McGowan on his tail. The Lions skipper in the end did well to catch and guide John wide, before getting a touch on the shot to deflect the ball into the side netting. St Mirren looked dangerous from the corner that followed, finding Gogic at the back post, the Cypriot unable to keep his header down.

These chances seemed to provide St Mirren with a new-found confidence and were pressing the Lions back line harder than ever – with Allan Campbell finding space for a strike at the back post, slipping slightly as he hit the ball and sending the ball over.

The pressure was mounting for Livi and the hosts were looking dangerous on the attack. Jonah Ayunga stung the palms of Prior on 26 minutes, finding space on the left side of the box and smashing a shot goalwards, with the corner coming to nothing.

Livingston managed to venture into the St Mirren box as we reached 30 minutes on the clock, a corner failing to find Kabongolo’s head allowed Sylla to launch the ball back into the box, Finlayson nodded the ball down to Scott Arfield whose shot was over the bar, although the offside flag did go up to spare his blushes slightly.

The Lions were starting to ramp up the pressure themselves. Stevie May nicked the ball past Gogic on the edge of the box, the big defender unable to do anything other than fell May, conceding the free kick and picking up a yellow card for his efforts. It was May himself who took the free kick, although his effort was wide left.

Jerome Prior was called into action himself with 36 minutes on the clock. A ball from the left found Richard King all alone in the box, and his effort across goal looked to be nestling in the back of the net, but the Frenchman pulled off yet another heroic save as he has done all season to keep the scores level and St Mirren questioning how they weren’t 1-0 up.

Livingston’s problems appeared to be coming down the left side, with unopposed running from Declan John and Allan Campbell particularly jarring. However, as had been the case for the rest of the first half, the hosts were unable to capitalise on this advantage, although some of that was down to Prior making another few saves to keep it level.

The second half kicked off very much the same way the first did with St Mirren pressuring for the opening goal. King had a chance on the edge of the box, but his strike was high and wide.

There was a lengthy injury delay as Jonah Ayunga picked up an ankle injury ending his afternoon, a stretcher having to be called for the Saints midfielder, replaced by Jake Young.

On 67 minutes, the Lions got the break they needed. A ball played through to the St Mirren defence appeared to be left by both St Mirren defenders, allowing Lewis Smith to latch on. Sliding the ball to sub Robbie Muirhead, the big number 9 passed the ball back to Smith. It looked like the chance had gone and Smith again played the ball to Muirhead on the left-hand side of the box, but the strikers cross was steered into the net by Gogić to give Livingston a huge lead in the context of the league.

Gogic was looking to make up for his two errors in the Livi goal, and had a huge effort on the edge of the box. The ball appeared to fall perfectly for the former Hibs player to hit first time on the volley, but his strike, although hit well, was off target.

The goal appeared to spark a confidence in Livingston that has been missing this season, and suddenly the pace of play had picked up, with nice little one-twos and flicks now seeming to find their targets, whilst the hosts were struggling to deal with the newfound resurgence.

And on 81 minutes, the Lions secured their first away win of the season. Hitting on the break, Robbie Muirhead passed the ball to Cristian Montano, who have havig a fantastic afternoon on that left-hand side. Running at Gogic before cutting onto his right, he poked the ball to Smith, who turned to find Scott Pittman on the penalty spot and he made no mistake slotting past Sinclair to double Livi’s lead.

St Mirren hadn’t given up and just as the fourth official signalled 9 minutes of added time, Mark O’Hara sent a shot crashing off the bar which was cleared away. The pressure continued as Livi fought for their lives, with corners and crosses raining down on the again terrific Prior who mopped up expertly, although Gogic did have a free header which was too high and flew over the bar.

But the onslaught wasn’t enough and the Lions held on to continue their push for survival.

Match report: David Hastie

Share this: